Council leader: 'Climate change: Pragmatism over polarisation'

It’s clear this topic stirs deep feelings. That’s understandable. Climate change touches every part of our lives, and few subjects are more contested.

In the article, I wrote: “We’ve responded to the challenges of climate change, from storm damage to flooding, and we continue to protect the landscapes that make Hampshire so special.” I stand by that statement.

Let me be clear: I don’t claim to have a scientific background. I’ll leave the detailed climate modelling and causal theories to those with the expertise. But I do know this—climate change is real. Whether it’s a product of human activity or part of a broader climatic cycle, we’re living through unmistakable shifts in our environment.

Storms are more severe. Rainfall is heavier, sometimes prolonged, more often intense. Spring arrives earlier, and our summers are not just warmer, but often wetter. These changes are not theoretical—they’re felt across our communities and they affect how we as a council deliver the services on which people rely.

That’s why we’ve ramped up flood mitigation efforts—to better protect homes and businesses from rising water. We’re investing in quicker water removal from roads to limit potholes caused by hydraulic erosion. We’re making sure support is in place for our most vulnerable residents during extreme heat. And we’re taking action to safeguard our countryside by planting more drought-resistant trees—preserving Hampshire’s unique character and ecology.

There’s also a broader imperative to rethink how we power our lives. I won’t get drawn into semantic skirmishes about “net zero”—I believe that kind of rhetoric often distracts from the more practical question: is it better to rely on finite, imported fossil fuels, or to embrace energy sources that are local, renewable and secure?

To me, the answer is obvious. Fossil fuels are a declining resource, and much of what we use is brought in from overseas, leaving our energy system vulnerable. Transitioning to homegrown, renewable energy isn’t just environmentally sensible—it’s economically and strategically wise.

The same logic applies to waste. Creating a circular economy—where we reuse and recycle more, and waste less—isn’t just a green ambition. It’s a practical necessity. We may not have all the infrastructure in place yet, but progress requires intention. That’s why we’re investing £60 million in a new Materials Recycling Facility in Eastleigh, and why we’ll continue developing systems that support smarter waste management.

We’re also installing solar panels across Hampshire’s schools, council offices, and commercial buildings, so we can generate clean electricity locally. And we’re transitioning to electric vehicles—powered by that same local energy. These aren’t grand political gestures. They’re steps toward resilience, sustainability, and long-term value.

Through the Hampshire Prosperity Partnership Board, our emerging Strategic Authority, and our economic development policies, we’re committed to growing an energy-secure, environmentally responsible future for the county.

The debate around the causes of climate change will no doubt continue. I’ll keep following it with interest. But I’m far less interested in assigning blame than I am in preparing our communities for what’s ahead. Whatever the cause, the impact is here and it’s real.

For me, taking reasonable, responsible steps to protect our natural environment, reduce dependence on dwindling fossil resources, and prepare for changing conditions is not ideology—it’s just common sense.

By Nick Adams-King

Leader, Hampshire County Council 
HCC Councillor for Romsey Rural
(Chilworth, Nursling & Rownhams, Romsey Extra, the Blackwater Parishes and the Dun Valley Parishes)

TVBC Councillor for Blackwater (Wellow, Awbridge, Michelmersh & Timsbury, Sherfield English and Plaitford & Melchet Park)

Chair, Romsey Future