One third of global warming gases in Dorset are estimated to be generated by farming.

Councillors have been told that if they are to meet climate change targets by 2030, greater action will need to be taken over the way the land is managed.

A report says that, while much has been done already by farmers and landowners, "we need to up the pace if at least 30 per cent of its land, rivers and seas are to be nature-positive by 2030".

It adds: "Doing so will not only be good for biodiversity, will also support us capture and store carbon, tackle flooding and pollution, and support our health and wellbeing. Everyone has a role to play – and new policy on things like biodiversity net gain and agri-environment funding present a big opportunity."

Weymouth Green Party councillor Brian Heatley welcomed the recognition of the challenge in the council climate report, which also highlighted the need for a nutrient reduction programme, woodland creation, improving soil health, having better local food networks and improving water management.

Cllr Heatley said that farms not only produced carbon dioxide but also generated methane from sheep and cattle on pasture land, and nitrous oxide from the use of fertilisers.

He said that the paper had been "coy" about both making changes to land use and to people eating less meat.

"I can understand that," he said, acknowledging that making change would be difficult.

"It's unattractive but it is an inconvenient truth."

Cllr Heatley said he would like to see more consideration given to creating reservoirs on farmland to store winter rains for use in the drier months, the creation of more woodland and natural corridors for wildlife and more wild spaces which were not farmed at all.

He said that within a few years, land use would have to change – but the country was still waiting for the government to lay out its farm subsidy and planning changes which might help achieve this.

North Dorset councillor Sherry Jespersen told the Cabinet meeting that farming needed to be treated as part of the solution to climate and ecological change – not as part of the problem.

"Let's not target agriculture; farming is a key industry in Dorset, it has been for a very long time and I hope it will be into the future," he said.

"We have good farming land here."

Cllr Jespersen said that many farmers had already taken measures to help tackle climate and ecological change and "with the right engagement and financial support in place they will be more than willing to do more".

Portfolio holder for climate and ecological change, Cllr Ray Bryan, said with £10million set aside for the council's climate programme it remained one of the authority's top priorities with the council having cut its own emissions by a quarter since 2019.

"These aren't grounds for doom and gloom, or despair, but a major opportunity to make our food and energy systems more secure; our homes and transport healthier and cheaper to run and to have significant potential for new skilled jobs, ultimately acting on this, not out of fear, but optimism," he said.