Strategy to help the region prepare for a warmer world launched
Devon Climate Emergency | December 2023
Welcome To Our December 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.
Multimillion Pound Investment Into Region’s Hydrogen Ecosystem
Funding has been obtained to maximise the potential of the South West’s hydrogen ecosystem, driving the development of hydrogen skills, infrastructure and technology.
The GW-SHIFT: Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies project, led by the Universities of Bath and Exeter, has secured £2.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of their Place Based Impact Acceleration Account awards (PBIAA).
The Western Gateway Hydrogen Delivery Pathway calculates that investing in hydrogen infrastructure within the area could create up to new 40,000 new jobs and safeguard a further 60,000 existing jobs
Rail Improvements To Be Delivered In The South West
Government has confirmed that it “will deliver rail improvements in the South West”, including Devon County Council’s project to reinstate five miles of track and deliver a new single platform station at Tavistock, which would serve communities in Tavistock, Horrabridge, Lamerton, and Mary Tavy.
Other projects mentioned include making the route between Exeter and Plymouth through Dawlish more resilient in the face of extreme weather, and Mid Devon District Council’s work to reintroduce rail services to Wellington and Cullompton.
Devon Pension Fund To Create Jobs In Renewable Energy
Devon County Council’s Investment and Pensions Fund Committee, which oversees management of the Devon Pension Fund (the county’s largest single pension fund) has decided to commit investments to renewable energy technologies.
The Devon Pension Fund is therefore playing a major part in helping to create local jobs in renewable energy and associated infrastructure, while providing clean energy to the national grid.
The Committee decided in June 2023 to commit £60 million to a new Local Impact Fund focused on the South West called Greencoat Wessex Gardens fund, managed by Greencoat Schroders.
Five other Local Government Pension Schemes in the South West, in addition to the Devon Pension Fund, have also committed to the Greencoat Wessex Gardens fund, totalling £330 million in commitments.
Future-proof Your Career with Green Skills Bootcamps
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are offering free training that is co-designed with employers to meet local skills need.
Gain industry-specific skills to future-proof your career with Skills Bootcamps in regenerative agriculture, ecology and conservation, electric vehicle and future of construction.
Are you working on climate adaptation? ARSINOE has opened its second fund for climate adaptation innovation and one of the regions selected for the project is Torbay.
They are looking for innovative solutions which help enhance European regions enhance their resilience to climate impacts such as flooding and extreme heat. Selected innovators may receive up to EUR 50,000 for demonstration activities.
Website launch: Improving Resilience to Flooding in Communities Across Devon
Find out how the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP) is installing natural flood management measures, trialling new technologies and progressing with innovative projects to improve flood resilience in 26 communities across Devon, on the new DRIP website.
The Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Adaptation Strategy has now been published and will help to ensure that the region can make the changes needed to cope with the worst effects of climate change.
Its publication comes after a consultation earlier this year in which 76% of respondents expressed concern about climate change and 69% said they have felt the effects of climate change already.
Climate change will continue to impact Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Critical infrastructure, community assets like schools and hospitals, homes, the environment, businesses and public services are all sensitive to weather and climate. Taking a proactive approach to adapt to climate change will result in many benefits, creating a fairer, healthier, more resilient and prosperous society now and into the future.
The Adaptation Strategy has been developed by the DCIoS Climate Impacts Group - a partnership of strategic organisations, including local authorities, that is chaired by the Environment Agency - with the assistance of RSK, an engineering and environmental consultancy.
Read the Strategy, learn about how climate change will impact the region, and see resources for individuals, communities, organisations and local policy makers at climateresponse.org.uk
Devon Emissions by sector (including Torbay and Plymouth), 2021
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 2021, when Devon's carbon footprint was 7.67 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Emissions have bounced back 6 % in 2021 compared to 2020 when emissions reductions were heavily shaped by COVID restrictions.
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 suggest emissions are likely to exceed the current budget period by 9%, highlighting the need for urgent action on emissions.
Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.
Woodland Creation Grants and Incentives,
6 December - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - FREE
This workshop takes you through a step-by-step guide to help you to understand the advantages and application processes when considering planting trees on your farm as part of a diversification plan.
This workshop is available to any farmer or land manager in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall, or the Isles of Scilly currently in receipt of BPS payments.
361 Energy CIC are attending the Holsworthy Monthly Hub at Holsworthy Hospital on 6th December 2-4pm to give free energy advice to those worried about their energy bills or are interested in learning how to be more energy efficient.
This workshop will look at the options available under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), including a deep dive into the six new standards being introduced in 2023, and how these can be applied on your farm.
This workshop is available to any farmer or land manager in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall, or the Isles of Scilly currently in receipt of BPS payments.
Getting to Grips With Gears - Winter Evening Workshop Class, 7th December - 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.
Totnes Bike Hub 'Bike Kitchen' - Self Supported Use of Workshop Space & Tools, 9th December, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - 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.
The Torbay Climate Action Hub, Sunday 10th Dec, 10am-12pm (drop-in)
Join us for another Christmas wrapping workshop in collaboration with Play Torbay, saving beautiful scrap paper and ribbons from the bin and spreading some festive cheer. Ideal for children and adults alike 🎁
Exeter City Council want your views on the Green Circle – a 12 mile circular route of footpaths and cycle paths around Exeter.
Understanding how it is currently used will help ensure that more people know about it and are able to use it in the future.
All survey respondents are eligible to be entered into a prize draw to win one of 10 X £35 InExeter vouchers. Simply opt-in to the draw once you’ve completed the survey.
Mondays throughout Dec 2023 at the Torbay Climate Action Hub 9am-12pm(drop-in)
Join fabric mending extraordinaire, Anna, each Monday morning and learn basic techniques such as darning and patching, to keep your threads lasting longer 🧵
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 – ‘A Greener Way For Our Bay’ – 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. The Partnership is made up of a wide range of organisations in Torbay from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.
There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the 
Funding has been obtained to maximise the potential of the South West’s 
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are offering free training that is co-designed with employers to meet local skills need.
Are you working on climate adaptation? ARSINOE has opened its second fund for climate adaptation innovation and one of the regions selected for the project is Torbay.
The Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Adaptation Strategy has now been published and will help to ensure that the region can make the changes needed to cope with the worst effects of climate change.
Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.
Exploring SFI Options for Your Farm in 2023
Totnes Bike Hub 'Bike Kitchen' - Self Supported Use of Workshop Space & Tools, 9th December, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - FREE
A Greener Way for Our Bay – Have your say - Survey Now Live
