Tackling food and fuel poverty and improving population wellbeing are the ‘urgent’ priorities approved in a tweak to an extensive Isle of Wight climate plan.
County Hall’s environment and community protection committee unanimously passed the Environmental Improvement and Climate Adaptation Strategy 2021 – 2040 Review and Refresh 2025 this week (29th January 2026).
Reaching net-carbon zero
The Isle of Wight Council’s Climate and Environment Strategy 2021 – 2040 sets out the local authority’s aims and targets to reach net-carbon zero in its own operations and as an Island by 2030 and 2040 respectively.
Its 2025 strategy refresh reorders the council’s environment and climate response and says County Hall’s focus is shifting from ‘abstract carbon targets’ to ‘practical, place-based solutions’ reducing fossil fuel dependency, enhancing local food systems and building resilience to climate effects.
Dix: Fundamental to how the Island becomes healthier, fairer and more resilient
Natasha Dix, County Hall’s service director for waste, environment and planning, said,
“The context we are operating in has changed. We have now seen more frequent and more severe weather events including the October 2023 flooding.
“This refresh will bring a stronger emphasis on climate adaptation and ensuring that we are adapting to a changing world.
“We crucially place three priorities at its core: reducing fuel poverty, reducing food poverty and improving our population’s wellbeing through environmental improvement.
“These are not add-ons. They are fundamental to how the Island becomes healthier, fairer and more resilient.”
Climate adaptation aims to lower the risks posed by climate change and to benefit from any related opportunities where possible, according to the London School of Economics.
Bacon: I was the cabinet member who brought it forward originally
Alliance councillor for Brading and St Helens Jonathan Bacon said,
“I’m extremely supportive of this. Probably would say that – I was the cabinet member who brought it forward originally, back in the good old days when we had such things as cabinet members.”
Churchman: We don’t look after the trees we already have
Councillor Vanessa Churchman, the Conservative representative for Haylands and Swanmore, said,
“I’d like to go back to basics. We talk about carbon offsetting. We talk about planting trees.
“I might point out we don’t look after the trees we already have. How many of you have gone past hundreds of trees which are being absolutely strangled with ivy?”
All IWC trees are regulsrly inspected
Ms Dix in response said all the council’s trees have been assessed, sit within a database and have a regular, cyclical inspection, managed on a risk basis to ensure healthy environments and trees.
She also pointed to a tree warden network “growing on the Island” with over 30 representatives from Isle of Wight town and parish councils.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
