To help mitigate the worst effects of Climate Change, the Council has made a commitment to becoming carbon neutral. Here you will find some frequently asked questions about climate change.
The term 'Climate Change' is refers to a change in global or regional climate patterns. It is usually used in the context of man-made effects on the environment - largely by the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
It is not just about us getting hotter weather or melting ice caps; climate change can impact in other ways. For example, the increase in extreme storms can bring flooding to new areas, affecting agriculture, wildlife and people's homes.
Fareham doesn't have ice caps or polar bears, so it may seem like climate change isn't a local issue. However, Fareham is positioned along the coast; it has areas of farmland, nature conservation sites, rivers flowing through urban neighbourhoods and a vibrant community to protect.
If we don't try to prevent the worst effects of climate change, we risk seeing flooding and erosion, loss of wildlife and extreme weather. Remedying these issues can be costly in both ecological and economic terms so we want to prevent them where we can.
The Council undertakes a number of environmental works as part of its everyday functions. For example, we manage 134 hectares land for nature conservation and have a team dedicated to looking after the trees in Fareham.
We have also calculated our carbon footprint so we can deliver a Carbon Reduction Plan to reduce our emissions effectively.
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual, organisation, or community.
The Council has calculated the carbon footprint of its services, you can read the 2019/20 report here 
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You can use the calculator from Carbon FootprintTM to calculate your carbon footprint.
The Carbon Reduction Plan will set out how the Council will reduce its carbon footprint. It will set out how the Council will reach its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030. It will review the Council's activities and determine where environmental improvements can be made.
The Carbon Reduction Plan will also include adaptation and resilience measures to ensure we prepare for the impacts of a 2° rise in temperatures.
We will publish the Carbon Reduction Plan here when it has been completed (due spring 2021).
The Council also needs plan adaptation and resilience measures into its Carbon Reduction Strategy. Both adaptation and resilience will be required to ensure that the borough can respond to climate change.
Adaptation seeks to reduce our vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. For example, we need to ensure that our communities can better manage risks associated with natural hazards, such as wildfires or extreme wea
ther events.
Resilience helps break down the issues associated with climate change into more manageable, localised tasks. An example of this is reducing the increased flood risk around our waterfront due to sea level rise.
There are some very simple steps you can take to help make a difference to the environment and reduce your carbon footprint. These include recycling, walking short distances instead of driving and creating a wildlife friendly garden 
. The Energy Saving Trust also has plenty of tips to help you conserve energy.
You can also apply for the Government's Green Homes Grant for up to £10,000 of energy efficiency home improvements. Further details of the scheme, how to check if you are eligible and how to apply are on the Green Homes Grant website .
For more information please contact the Climate Change Officer at climatechange@fareham.gov.uk.
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