Several green spaces in Devon have received the prestigious Green Flag Award for being high quality and well managed, joining other parks that set the benchmark standard nationwide.

Parks and green spaces are enjoyed widely across Devon, and have been a source of reprieve and safe socialisation in the time during and since the lockdown. The trees and grassland in these green spaces store carbon and can cool the local area during heatwaves, helping to tackle climate change. Well maintained and accessible green spaces are also vital to make space for wildlife and to enable people to appreciate and value nature.

See which green spaces received awards near you here, and read more about them in your local area:

• East Devon District Council
• North Devon Council
• Devon County Council
• Teignbridge District Council
• University of Exeter

Devon County Council (DCC) are progressing with their plan to reduce carbon emissions from maintaining Devon’s roads by implementing a new IT system, created with the University of Exeter, which calculates and tracks emissions from roadworks.

Tracking and learning from the data is hoped to cut emissions across all projects. DCC is also leading other authorities in taking up similar approaches, with the potential to ensure emissions are cut during highway maintenance on a national level.

The Ruby Country Net-Zero Beef Farming Forum have released their final report, exploring how beef farming in the Ruby Country can transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest.

The report is the result of work between farmers and experts from agricultural research institute, Rothamsted Research, and the University of Exeter.

The recommendations will form part of the evidence for the new Devon Carbon Plan, which outlines Devon’s path to becoming net-zero carbon by 2050 at the latest.

The full report is available to read here.

The Low Carbon Devon project received funding from the European Regional Development Fund to help Devon enterprises make the transition to the low carbon economy. They have been working with a range of enterprises that are shifting to sustainable practices and filling gaps in emerging green markets.

Find out more about the project's work to date by clicking on the link below.

The Biosphere Foundation are calling on all Devon based farmers and landowners interested in generating new revenue linked to natural capital to get in touch.

The Natural Capital Marketplace is an online platform that matches landowners to potential nature-based projects, and helps to certify and trade ‘ecosystem benefits’, such as carbon and biodiversity credits.

‘We now have significant new interest and demand for environmental off-sets from within the county’ said Operations Manager, David Collier. ‘The Natural Capital Marketplace is available to support those first steps into what can be a daunting and confusing new area of business for landowners, offering farm advisory expertise and project options from only established and verified local delivery partners.’

To find out more, register for free today by clicking on the button below, or contact David Collier at David.collier@biospherefoundation.co.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

The Exeter Sustainability Awards will recognise businesses, community groups and individuals who are leading the way with their commitment to sustainable practice.

The awards initiative is the result of a collaboration between Princesshay, Exeter City Futures, Exeter City Council, Exeter University, In Exeter, Devon Contract Waste and the Exeter Magazine. They are free to enter for anyone within a 10-mile radius of the city centre, and entries will be evaluated on environmental and social best practice, innovation, sustainable energy use and climate resilience.

Entries are now open and close on 30 September 2022. 

This September we are promoting cycling in Devon!

Active Devon, Travel Devon, Explore Devon, Devon Local Nature Partnership, Public Health Devon and Devon Climate Emergency have all gotten together to share messages around cycling and the benefits getting on your bike can have to Devon.

Leaving your car at home and jumping on your bike is a great way to help the climate. By switching your mode of travel, you will be helping to reduce emissions that pollute the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Wondering where to begin? Keep an eye on DCE’s social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and #CycleDevon for the latest information about cycling events and campaigns in Devon to get started, or if you already love cycling, this is a great chance to meet like-minded bike enthusiasts – there’s something for everyone!

There’s a month left to apply for free trees through the Emergency Tree Fund.

This year, Devon County Council is offering ‘Free Tree Packs’ to landowners across Devon for the forthcoming planting season. Each tree pack will contain 45 native trees and will be funded by Devon County Council’s Emergency Tree Fund, granted by The Woodland Trust. Trees planted this season (November 2022 to end of March 2023) can contribute to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, if landowners wish to do so.

Applications need to be made online before Tuesday 27th September and tree packs will be delivered in time to be planted in National Tree Week at the end of November.

We are excited to announce that the finalised version of the Devon Carbon Plan will be launched on Thursday 15th September, after three years of collaboration with the Net Zero Task Force and the public.

The Devon Carbon Plan is the roadmap for how Devon will reach net-zero emissions by 2050 (at the latest). It has been built on detailed, ongoing assessments of Devon’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Broadly speaking, emissions in Devon can be divided into five key sectors: economy and resources, energy supply, food, land and sea, transport, and the built environment. The Devon Carbon Plan will outline actions for how each of these sectors can reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and how people at every level can contribute - including individuals, communities, organisations and local policy makers.

When the plan is launched, you will be able to find it on our website. You can also follow our social media for ongoing updates about the launch, and the next steps for the Devon Climate Emergency project.

What might the place you live in look like in this better future? More to the point, what would you want it to look like? The Interim Devon Carbon Plan and the Devon Climate Emergency website are full of resources which show what might be achieved and how. This is a chance to learn about what is possible, as well as let your wildest imaginations off the leash.

If you have a ‘Vision’ for net-zero where you live, please send it on to us. It can take the form of a piece of art, a story, a video, or even a podcast. Submissions are welcome from individuals or groups. Visions will be hosted on the website gallery and plotted on an interactive map. Many Visions will also appear in the Net Zero Book, publication November 2022.

Together we can start to tell a different story about our collective future.

Each month between July-November 2022 two £20 vouchers (under and over 18s) will be awarded to the ‘Star’ Vision of the month. Many Visions will also appear in the Net Zero Book, publication November 2022.

To submit your Visions please click either ‘under 18 ‘or ‘over 18’ below:

Under 18s:

https://plymouth.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/net-zero-public-visions-under-18s-2

Over 18s:

https://plymouth.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/net-zero-visions-public-visions-survey-and-how-to-subm

Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) Energy Roadshow; Teign Valley Community Hall Village Road, Christow, EX6 7WA; Saturday 3rd September, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Come along to talk to a range of experts about how to reduce your energy consumption and save money, while also having less impact on the climate. Teign Valley residents can also sign up to be one of 30 households receiving free support to calculate your carbon footprint, as well as working out where you can reduce your carbon emissions.

No need to pre-book – simply drop in on the day.

Big Bike Revival, 'Fix'; Erme Court car park, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, PL21 0SZ; Sunday 11th September and Sunday 25th September, 10:00am – 2:00pm

To empower people to use bikes for leisure or as part of their active travel routines, PL:21 Transition Town are hosting The Big Bike Revival to run a series of ‘Fix’ and ‘Learn’ sessions during August, September and October.

The first upcoming event on the 11th will be a 'Fix' session, where you can get your bike checked for mechanical faults, free of charge. Simple problems can be fixed, and adjustments made there and then, whilst bigger problems will need referring on to local bike servicing workshops.

The second upcoming event on the 25th will be a ‘Learn’ session, where you can be trained to maintain your own bikes, also free of charge.

Register for your free place by sending an email to Mark Wilson at mmarkwilson@live.co.uk detailing:

An introduction to stakeholder engagement and the climate emergency; Online; Friday 23rd September, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

If you're feeling overwhelmed with new policies and the wealth of data around climate change, this virtual workshop by Devon Communities Together – introducing stakeholder engagement and the climate emergency – might be for you.

The course will go over foundational knowledge about the climate emergency, which will help you to create action plans that fit your circumstances and include the community in the conversation. Topics covered will include the basic science of climate change, regional and national government commitments and legislation, carbon baseline and measurement, and the complex nature of the challenge, among others.

Sustainable Crediton; Town Square, Crediton; Saturday 24th September, 11:00am – 2:00pm

This event is a celebration of sustainability in Crediton.

Come and join a gathering of green folk, hear about local projects, services and campaigns, enjoy food, drink and music, and ride the smoothie bike!

361 Energy Fair; Barnstaple Pannier Market; Sunday 25th September

361 Energy is holding their fifth Energy Fair in Barnstaple Pannier Market on Sunday 25^th September.

This year there will be various organisations providing advice to the public including 361 Energy, National Energy Action, Citizens Advice and North Devon Council. There will also be a Repair Café where broken appliances can be repaired for free or low cost.

More information will follow closer to the time.

Climate Change: stories that motivate; Alexander Centre, Tavistock; Wednesday 28th September, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

This workshop from Transition Tavistock, in partnership with Learn Devon, is for anyone trying to persuade people to act on climate change.

This will be an interactive workshop, including discussion and practical exercises. It aims to illustrate research-based principles for effective communication on climate change, with examples of influence through images and conversations. The main sources used are from national charity Climate Outreach.

Admission is free, but advance booking is required – online at the link below, or phone 01822 613701.