Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary
Devon Climate Emergency | September 2024
Welcome To Our September 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.
Plymouth City Council Secures £458,000 For Community Centre Energy Efficiency
Plymouth City Council secures £458,353 from the Salix Grant and Climate Emergency Investment Fund to fund improvement works in Harewood House in Plympton. Works are expected to include adding air source heat pumps, a solar panel installation on the roof, a switch to energy-efficient LED lighting, and a boost in loft insulation.
Exmoor National Park Authority Cuts Emissions By 50%
Exmoor National Park Authority has announced they have halved their carbon emissions since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 with a variety of climate positive activities, putting them on track to reach their organisational goal of net zero by 2030.
Devon County Council Receives £200K To Fund Decarbonisation
Devon County Council has been awarded £200K from the government-funded South West Net Zero Hub. The funding will be used to develop two projects in Devon; creating a decarbonisation plan for Heathfield Industrial Estate in Bovey Tracey and exploring the development of solar energy on previous landfill sites across the county.
Devon And Cornwall Police Use E-Bikes To Keep Exeter safe
Electric bikes have recently become available for Exeter Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). Increasing low carbon modes of transport helps Devon and Cornwall’s law enforcement move towards net zero, all while setting a positive example.
In August, the Tactical Group reviewed progress against the Economy and Resources actions, exploring opportunities for business support across the county. The Response Group reviewed progress against the Built Environment actions, as well as hearing an update on the new government's environmental commitments.
August's meeting of the Climate Impacts Group heard from Plymouth's Building Resilience in Communities (BRIC) project which is helping communities in Plymouth adapt to flood risk, as well as reviewing a cluster of risks and actions in the Adaptation Strategy.
The Secretariat has also joined the board of the Devon Community Resilience Forum to input on how communities can be supported to adapt to climate change.
We had the pleasure of joining Food and Drink Devon to help judge the Food Drink Devon Sustainability Pioneer Award entries and heard about the inspiring things Devon's businesses are doing to reduce their impact on the environment. The award ceremony will take place in October.
Organisation Spotlight - Turn The Tide Teignbridge CIC
Turn the Tide Teignbridge CIC is a entirely volunteer-run community interest company organising "events with a climate/nature theme to draw attention to environmental issues."
They told us about the things they are doing to help address the climate emergency:
"We are in partnership with Sustainable Dawlish, managing a project called 'Our Green Futures', funded by Transition Together that awards small grants to groups wishing to address climate change or nature depletion in their local communities. We are organising 10 events in the Dawlish area to help people come up with ideas that we might fund."
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.
Schools Working Together To Be Zero Carbon - Webinar
10th September, 15:45-16:30 | Microsoft Teams
Zero Carbon Schools is an exciting, free, programme which enables pupils to learn more about climate change, investigate their school's carbon footprint, lead projects to reduce it, and inspire others to take action. It also includes teacher training, and support to inform and involve the local community. Henry, Founder and Managing Director, will explain how the programme works, how it aligns with Let's Go Zero, and how you can get your school on board!
12th September, 12:00-16:00 | Hayes Meadow, EX20 3QU
Join the Devon Agri-Tech Alliance for a workshop focused on farm diversification and circular economies, held at Hayes Meadow Organic. Speakers include Graham Macklin (farm owner), University of Plymouth researchers, Luppo Diepenbroek (grassland nutritionist), and Andy Gray (farmer and entrepreneur). Tour the cutting-edge processing facility and see how their approach repurposes animal by-products to produce new income streams.
Join the Devon Food Partnership and Food Drink Devon for a relaxed evening at Greendale Farm Shop exploring how sustainable practices can help support your food or drink business.
Hear from local food and drink businesses about their sustainability journeys and gain insight into how environmental and social sustainability could strengthen your enterprise.
361 Energy is hosting their Energy Fair at Barnstaple Pannier Market. Activities will include talks, an exhibition, and a mini planetatrium. Caterers, environmental organisations, and businesses will be in attendance. All ages welcome.
A Free 10-week course is available for those working in Cornwall, Devon or the Isles of Scilly to become sustainability leaders. The Future Climate Leaders course is a unique opportunity for enterprises to go greener. It is a chance to invest in one of your eco-conscious employees and turn them into your business’ climate champion so you can get to grips with and tackle environmental challenges.
This course is up to 90% funded for enterprises based in Devon as a Skills Bootcamp through the UK Government and Devon County Council.
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.
Devon Wildlife Trust is re-introducing Pine Martens back into the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. As part of this, they are commissioning artists and creatives £300-£2000 to "ignite the spirit of nature and heritage in the hearts of those who experience your creations". They are "seeking proposals which will captivate, inspire and engage people" in a number of outlined themes. Click "Find out more" below to learn more about how to submit a proposal.
Deadline: 26th September 2024 (Round 1), 20th March 2025 (Round 2)
The Imperial Community Impact Fund is a new initiative designed to support local community groups and charities that are committed to making a positive difference.
There is a total annual fund of £10,000, offering grants up to £1,000 to encourage and empower local organisations working in the fields of environment, sustainability, creativity, and addressing local problems.
Community groups and charitable organisations can apply.
The focus of the fund is to provide small grants for community organisations and charities making a difference in their local community.
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.
