Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary
Devon Climate Emergency | January 2024
Welcome To Our January Newsletter!
There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the Devon Carbon Plan. Here are our picks for the month!
You can see more positive actions and stay updated throughout the month by visiting the Taking Action page on our website.
Plymouth City Council Wins Prestigious Award At COP28
A green energy scheme developed by Plymouth City Council has received awards at the world’s largest climate conference.
The network will use waste heat from cooling in buildings like Plymouth Pavilions and Moxy Hotel for heating nearby buildings, reducing emissions. Where necessary this is topped up with other renewable sources of heat.
Fossil Fuels Down to 35% of UK Energy Supply in 2023
Several newspapers started the year with announcements of a continued shift in Britain's energy mix. City AM and the Times reported that in 2023 fossil fuels were the source for only 35% of Britain's energy, compared to 43% in 2022.
On top of British renewables, energy imports from France and Norway contributed to the decline in fossil fuels, due to their generation from nuclear and hydroelectric.
Devon County Councillors have approved proposals to construct the latest section of the Tarka Trail between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.
By providing a safe, off-road route more people will be encouraged to walk and cycle to work, place of education or in their leisure time which can help save money, while also improving health and the local environment.
Two orphaned beavers are settling into their new home at Poole Farm, Plymouth, after being spared from culling in Scotland. Their introduction is part of Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds project which aims to connect people with urban wild spaces.
The beavers will be monitored to gain an understanding of their behaviour and the resulting landscape changes. It is hoped that their presence will help reduce downstream flooding and increase biodiversity.
Plans Approved For New Coastal Defence Scheme for Sidmouth
The Environment Agency has approved plans for a new coastal defence scheme for Sidmouth. The scheme will cost £20m and is backed by £16m of government funding, with £2.25m allocated by East Devon District Council (EDDC) and additional contributions from Devon County Council.
The plans include new offshore breakwaters, raising the level of East Beach and new rock groynes.
EDDC anticipate that the project would protect approximately 200 residential and commercial properties from sea flooding and coastal erosion
Tiverton’s new net-zero carbon housing development is coming into being at Shapland Place.
The innovative, modular houses, built in partnership with Zed Pods Ltd, have been delivered and lifted into position. Work took place in September of last year on the foundations and services to allow for delivery of the homes in December.
The site, which is owned by Mid Devon Council, used to be garages and car parking and will accommodate eight self-contained residential units of between one-bedroom and three-bedroom. The homes will have triple glazing and solar panel.
Progress reports for all themes covered by the Devon Carbon Plan are now available on the website. Going forward progress reports will be published twice a year per theme.
On the recommendation of the Devon Climate Task Force, from now on all actions will be reported against, not just priority actions, as was initially the case.
Following the publication of the finalised Climate Adaptation Strategy, a progress report on the short term actions in the Adaptation Strategy Action Plan will also be published on the website early this year.
The progress report can be viewed online or downloaded from the website as an Excel file.
Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero - Riverford have joined over 120 other businesses, councils, schools and more who have already signed the Devon Climate Declaration to show the growing support for taking action.
Zac Goodall, Head of Sustainability at Riverford, told us:
"Riverford is aiming to achieve net-zero operational carbon emissions by 2030. Our major decarbonisation activities target transport, electricity use, and refrigeration.
We're progressing by electrifying our diesel van fleet, targeting 50% electrification over the next year, with 100% by 2026. We have been installing solar panels on rooftops around the business, with 420 kW installed in 2023, and plans for an additional 280 kW in 2024. Combined with our existing solar array, this powers the equivalent of 350 UK homes yearly.
Addressing refrigeration's impact, we're replacing standard equipment with CO2-charged alternatives, reducing emissions by minimizing refrigerant gas leakage. On Riverford farms we have been establishing new hedgerows, planting woodlands and agroforestry, and trialling methods to reduce tillage of the soil, to enable greater carbon sequestration.
In 2022 we kicked off a carbon sequestration initiative with Ripple Effect, our charity partner, which involved a community tree planting initiative, planting 45,000 fruit trees across smallholder farms in Ethiopia, which will sequester 27,000 tCO2e over 15 years."
FREE Training for East Devon Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations
January 11th, 10:00 - 11:30
Are you uncertain about what legal structure is best for your organisation? At this upcoming workshop, Devon Communities Together’s Hannah Reynolds will take you through the different structures, such as Charity and Community Interest Company; choosing the right one could have a significant impact on the success of your organisation!
Net-Zero Exchange: Kickstarting Your Collaboration
31st January, 14:00 – 16:00, Sustainability Hub, University of Plymouth
The Net-Zero Solutions Fund enables businesses to team up with researchers to take on a carbon challenge or harness their industry’s low-carbon possibilities. It’s an opportunity for enterprises to take evidence-based, targeted climate action with the help of researchers applying their specialist knowledge and maximising the real-world impact of their work.
Meet potential project partners at this networking event, hear about previous similar collaborations and ask the team any questions you have before applying.
Adjusting Brakes Part 1 and 2 - Winter Evening Workshop Class, 11th and 25th January - FREE
Would you like to learn how to repair your bike? Then check out this winter programme of learn-to-fix events! These are funded by Cycling UK and are aimed at beginners, and people returning to cycling.
Agri-Innovation Programme Expressions of Interest reopening: 8th to 31st January, Business Information Point
This project is helping farm businesses maximise their potential and productivity through regenerative and innovative methods and practices. Running in West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council areas only, the project works with farmers who are open to and enthusiastic about embracing new ideas, methods, equipment, and processes. They are supported to identify their farm’s unique potential, viable opportunities and undertake actions to develop and deliver an Innovation Plan.
Places are limited in this project: any farmers interested in taking part must complete an Expressions of Interest form.
Are you considering how to engage your group and community with issues around home heat loss? Dan Parnell, who has been leading on Sustainable South Brent's thermal imaging camera training and loan scheme, will be supporting our discussion on the topic of using these fantastic tools for further understanding.
Space is limited for this free event, so please do book at the Eventbrite link.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Business Information Sessions
19th January, 12:00 - 13:00, Online
The University of Plymouth’s Innovation Funding Team together with Enterprise Solutions are hosting a series of free, business-information sessions. These online events will show how different businesses can benefit from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project and explore other services for business that are available from the University. Registration open to UK businesses only.
A Greener Way for Our Bay – Have your say - Survey Now Live
If you live in Torbay then Torbay Council want to hear your views to help them plan for a changing world.
The new consultation aims to engage with local people on the Torbay Climate Partnership’s new plans for reducing the Bay’s carbon footprint and preparing for a changing climate.
There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the 
Several newspapers started the year with announcements of a continued shift in Britain's energy mix. City AM and the Times reported that in 2023 fossil fuels were the source for only 35% of Britain's energy, compared to 43% in 2022.
Devon County Councillors have approved 
Two orphaned beavers are settling into their new home at Poole Farm, Plymouth, after being spared from culling in Scotland. Their introduction is part of Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds project which aims to connect people with urban wild spaces.
The Environment Agency has approved plans for a new coastal defence scheme for Sidmouth. The scheme will cost £20m and is backed by £16m of government funding, with £2.25m allocated by East Devon District Council (EDDC) and additional contributions from Devon County Council.
Tiverton’s new net-zero carbon housing development is coming into being at Shapland Place.
Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero -
Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.
Totnes Bike Hub 'Bike Kitchen' - Self Supported Use of Workshop Space & Tools, 13th January, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - FREE
Agri-Innovation Programme Expressions of Interest reopening: 8th to 31st January, Business Information Point
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Business Information Sessions
