A PLAN to tackle climate change in Hampshire has been given the go-ahead.

Civic chiefs at Hampshire County Council have approved a climate change strategy for the past five years.

Councillors have committed to take a number of actions which includes incentivise the use of electric vehicles,  provide advice to the community and use solar panels where possible.

It comes as cabinet members approved the 2020-2025  strategy.

They said that the plans is a live document which will be updated regularly.

But during the meeting of the cabinet on September 29 some residents asked the authority to do more.

Talking to councillors a representative of Hampshire Climate Action Network asked the authority to prioritise actions,  consider the ideas suggested by the community and focus more on active travel.

“The active transport proposal need to go beyond the current emergency schemes”, the representative said.

According to the plan, some of the actions set to be taken include the provision of a minibus for vulnerable older people who need transport; a freephone  line and online service  which would advise about climate change

and sustainability, including energy efficiency and home

insulation.

Civic chiefs have also pledged to work with schools to support the reduction in car journeys.

The proposals also include the development of an Air Quality Management Plan to raise awareness of air quality issues.

Among the activities set to be implemented there is also the development of a  practical guidance for planning authorities to improve planning

requirements such as on-site energy generation, use of waste heat and sustainable drainage.

Talking at the meeting council leader Cllr Keith Mans said: “This is the start of a journey. This is not in any way complete, we would need to do a lot more work and I take on board the points that you made. This is a work in progress.”

Cllr Jan Warwick, climate change advisor to the executive, said the council now has a “coherent” strategy.

She added: “This will deliver a comprehensive response. We are developing a small expert stakeholder forum and it will bring together experts to advise the council regularly.”