Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary
Devon Climate Emergency | October 2024
Welcome To Our October Newsletter!
There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience and implementing the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy. 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.
Devon County and Torbay Councils Launch Consultations on Transport Plans
The draft Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) and draft Devon Countywide Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) are open for public consultation until Saturday the 30th of November. These plans inform how the county moves forward in building sustainable transport infrastructure which will help bring down Devon’s carbon emissions and improve quality of life.
University of Exeter Launches “Gift It, Reuse It” Scheme for Incoming Freshers
The University of Exeter launches scheme to pass on donated home essentials from outgoing student halls residents to new students joining this September. Items include crockery, cutlery, PAT-tested small electricals, and clothes hangers- all completely for free. The initiative offers a solution to a recurring source of waste and helps new students save money, packing space, and start their degrees in an environmentally conscious way.
North Devon Council Revamps Barnstaple Bus Station Hub
Barnstaple Bus Station Hub officially reopens, complete with a brand new café and takeaway. Refurbishment brings an improved layout to provide a safer and more comfortable experience for visitors.
Devon food and drink businesses came together in September for a ‘People Planet Profit’ event hosted by Greendale Farm Shop. A collaboration between the Devon Food Partnership and the Food Drink Devon Sustainability Working Group, this engaging evening focused on growing a sustainable food and drink business.
To accompany the event, the Devon Food Partnership produced a short digital booklet which contains all the information discussed on the night plus some more.
Cumulative Historic Emissions & Cumulative Carbon Budget 2018 to 2022
Each year the University of Exeter calculates Devon’s carbon footprint - the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere by activities within Devon, Plymouth and Torbay’s boundaries. Due to the time taken for the data sets used to be released, there is usually a two year delay. The latest available data is for 2022, when Devon's carbon footprint was 7.15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Emissions have fallen 25% since 2010 and 4% since 2021. Building and transport were responsible for two thirds of emissions in 2022.
In order to track progress, Devon has a carbon budget, outlining the emissions which can occur whilst remaining on track for a 50% reduction by 2030 from 2010 levels and net-zero by 2050 at the latest. However, the latest figures show that emissions exceed the current budget period (2018 to 2022) by 9%, highlighting the need for accelerated action on emissions.
The Devon Climate Emergency partnership are working to accelerate emissions reduction in Devon through projects including an Energy Plan, and an update to the Transport Plan for Torbay and Devon County Council area. Devon, Plymouth and Torbay has secured over £10 million in total through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, to roll-out charging for drivers without off-street parking. Funding of £12.4 million has also been awarded to the area for zero-emissions busses. The Energy Saving Devon website and phoneline has been launched to connect citizens to energy and building advisors and grants, including schemes for low income households.
The partnership will continue to work with government to enable emissions reductions to be accelerated.
There is much to do, but the partnership remains committed to achieving net-zero.
The Eco Gazebo at Exmouth Festival this year, with Green Team volunteers, Cllr Tim Dumper and Catherine Causley (East Devon District Council Climate Officer).
We are delighted that Exmouth Town Council is a signatory of the Devon Climate Declaration.
They told us about the things they are doing to help address the climate emergency:
"After declaring a climate emergency Exmouth Town Council appointed a Climate and Ecological Emergency Resilience Officer, Zoey Cooper. In her 18 months in post Zoey has initiated a range of impactful campaigns, earning her the award of "Newcomer of the Year" (and position #9) at the Resource Hot 100 awards this autumn. Campaigns run include:
• Exmouth Reusable Cup scheme
• Samudra the (plastic-eating) Sea Serpent
• A real nappy scheme
• Promoting reusable period products
• Clothes swapping (and promoting sustainable fashion)
• Magpies: A Thrifty Festival
• Exmouth Festival: “Treading More Lightly" •Cigarette Butt Ballot bin installation
Zoey Cooper, Exmouth's Climate and Ecological Emergency Resilience Officer
We are delighted that environmentally conscious organisations have supported our Climate Declaration as we work to deliver the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy.
If you would like to learn more about signing the Declaration, please visit our website, following the link below.
13th October, 10:00-15:00 | Yeo Valley Woodland, EX32 7HP
A unique day out at Yeo Valley Woodland in Barnstaple on Sunday, 13 October from 10am to 3pm for the "Food from the Forest" event.
Explore the wonders of foraging, with sloes, apples, blackberries, hazelnuts, and more, as we discover delicious, natural foods that can be harvested for free from the woodland.
Apple Pressing: Help press apples to make your own fresh, organic juice! Don’t forget to bring a clean plastic bottle to take some home.
Households across the UK will take part in the #TapOffTuneIn Challenge by turning off all non-essential taps from 5-10pm, while landmarks across the country will light up blue. You can sign up below and also be entered into a prize draw for one of two £100 vouchers.
Sustainable Crediton And Significant Seams Present The ‘Crediton Eco-Crafternoon’
26th October, 13:00 - 16:00 | The Boniface Centre, EX17 2AH
The Crediton Eco-Crafternoon is a textile and craft ‘Give & Take’ event where people can bring their surplus supplies and make a donation in exchange for items. The Sustainable Crediton Repair Cafe will also be there to help with repairs. Other activities include making tote bags from curtains. The poppy appeal will be showing people how to make poppies, and there will be stalls/groups offering activities and eco-friendly gifts.
Tiverton, Chagford, Ashburton and Honiton - follow link for dates and times.
There are a number of repair cafes happening across Devon this October helping you to mend a range of broken items. Check out the Community Action Group website by following the button below for more information.
The 2025 Community Garden Grants scheme is open for applications. Eligible community garden projects from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are welcome to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000. All applications will be assessed on their merits and the successful groups will be notified in March 2025.
Not-for-profit organisations in South West England can apply for funding from the NextEnergy Solar Impact Fund.
The funding is intended to support activities that will have positive social, economic and/or environmental impacts on the area. There is a particular focus on education, training and skills.
The programme objectives are:
Support climate change mitigation and adaptation - through community education on sustainable practices
Promote a just transition – encourage and promote skills, education and training in climate solutions – reskill or upskill people for jobs in climate solutions
Promote general skills development – encourage and promote skills and training for local people – provide training and development for employees
Improve local education – create educational initiatives that relate to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – create educational activities for the community – support local academic institutions
Registered charities, CICs, charitable trusts, academic institutions, charitable companies and unincorporated organisations can apply for grants up to £5,000.
The Tree Council grants programme, Branching Out, is now open for applications from not-for-profit organisations seeking to establish trees and hedges in the 2024/25 planting season.
You can apply for grants of between £250 and £2,500 for the purchase of trees, hedging, hedgerow trees and fruit trees, together with planting aids such as tree-guards, stakes and mulch. Projects with strong community involvement will be looked on more favourably.
Schools, colleges, community groups, care homes, parish & town councils, Tree Warden Networks, Community Interest Companies and small registered charities are all eligible to apply for funding.
Funding is available for organisations that want to transform their local community through projects that tackle climate change, reduce carbon emissions or that protect and enhance the environment.
Community groups, schools and colleges or small businesses involved in sustainability initiatives can apply for a grant from the new Stobart Sustainability Fund.
