Climate change is already affecting Dorset. Each year, we’re seeing extreme weather, flooding, and coastal erosion become more common. To help our county respond and prepare for the future, we need to understand what matters most to local people.
We've partnered up with Involve, a charity that supports public participation. Together, we’ve created the Dorset Citizens' Climate Panel.
The panel brings together 22 residents, selected by lottery, who reflect the diversity of Dorset’s population. Together they will help shape our county’s response to climate change.
Panel members will:
- learn about climate adaptation
- discuss the issues
- make recommendations about how Dorset should respond to climate change in a way that’s fair to people and nature
How will it work
Panel members will meet in person for 4 sessions at Dorchester Corn Exchange. Throughout each session, participants will:
- hear from expert speakers
- take part in facilitated discussions
- work together to develop a shared vision for Dorset
An advisory group has been set up to ensure the panel is run fairly and objectively. This group includes representatives from local organisations, community groups, and climate experts.
What will happen after the panel
The panel’s recommendations will help shape Dorset’s new Climate Adaptation Strategy.
This plan will set out how we can deal with the effects of climate change and create a fairer, stronger future for everyone in Dorset.
Who is involved
The panel is being delivered by public participation charity Involve, as part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme.
Recruitment of the panel is being managed by the Sortition Foundation, specialists in fair and representative selection.
The advisory group for the panel is made up of representatives from a mix of community groups and organisations, including:
- Dorset National Landscape
- Met Office
- Dorset CAN (Climate Action Network)
- Volunteer Centre Dorset
- Dorset Youth
- Dorset Race Equality Council
- Wessex Water
- Environmental Agency
- LSE Grantham Institute
- Dorset Council
Panel member selection process
A letter will be sent to 6,600 randomly selected households from the Royal Mail database, inviting residents to express interest in joining the panel.
From those who respond, 22 individuals will be selected by democratic lottery to reflect Dorset’s diversity in terms of:
- demographics
- geography
- attitudes toward climate change
Contact us
To find out more about Dorset’s Citizens' Climate Panel, email our climate team at climate@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.