HAMPSHIRE County Council’s cabinet has agreed the first new projects to be launched to meet targets part of the authority’s climate change strategy.

The projects come after breakdowns of local figures revealed emissions from domestic property make up nearly 24 per cent for the total of Hampshire.

Councillor Jan Warwick, Hampshire County Council’s climate change adviser to the executive, said: “These projects have been put forward as they will deliver results for our carbon reduction and adaptation targets. If we work together, we can make a difference.”

Three initiatives have been approved for roll out:

- The introduction of telephone and online advice for residents on climate change through a partnership with The Environment Centre;

- Establishing a community energy network; and

- Targeting residents for a Solar Together group-buying scheme.

Adam Goulden, chief executive at The Environment Centre, said: “This is an exciting time with public and political opinion converging around an agenda that has never been more important.

“The actions set out in this strategy represent the steps we can all take to help in the fight against climate change.”

The council also hopes to support and enable renewable energy with the launch of a community energy network, as well as the launch of a solar buying scheme.

Councils have teamed up with iChoosr to organise a scheme, targeted to about 125,000 residents, who can register for the group-buying scheme. The auction is a reverse auction, meaning the lowest bid wins. 

Marie-Louise Abretti, manager at Solar Together, said: “Solar Together Hampshire will make it easy for homeowners to install solar panels and storage at a competitive price, from a trusted and pre-vetted installer, helping people across the county who are looking for opportunities to save on their energy bills, increase their independence from the grid and reduce their carbon emissions.”

Councillor Keith Mans, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “A significant amount of action on the ground is under way, in addition to the range of work going on across the county council, to set Hampshire on track to meet our targets of zero carbon by 2050 at the same time making sure we are prepared and resilient to the impact of a two degree temperature rise.”