Portsmouth City Council has published the results of a recent survey, which revealed that 70% of residents believe the council should focus more on developing travel and transport options as part of its climate action strategy.
The same number of residents also highlighted the importance of targeting local consumption and waste.
What’s more, the city-wide survey (conducted between August and October 2022) showed that 84% of Portsmouth residents were concerned about climate change, with more than half (51%) stating they were “very concerned”.
Awareness of net zero ambitions was lower than general knowledge of climate change, with 45% of respondents stating they knew “hardly anything”.
Almost half of respondents (46%) suggested that the local authority “needed to do much more” to address climate change, including better provision of information on climate change actions (21%).
Kimberly Barrett, councillor and cabinet member for climate change and environment at Portsmouth City Council, said: “Thank you to all residents that took the time to share their views on climate change.
“These views are invaluable in understanding your concerns and what matters to you.
“We will look at how we can further reduce carbon emissions in Portsmouth alongside existing actions such as running the bin lorries on lower carbon fuel, introducing electric vehicle charge points, Beryl bikes, and providing electric shore power at the Port.
“To make our vibrant coastal city a healthy, green and safe place to live, these results will help guide how we develop and prioritise our local response to the climate crisis and meet our target to be a “net zero carbon” council and city by 2030.”
According to the council, more than 1,600 residents participated in The Big Portsmouth Survey, which was open to Portsmouth residents aged 16 and above.
