Carlton Power is set to start work on a 10MW hydrogen hub project, which will provide local companies in Devon and Cornwall with easy access to hydrogen fuel.

The project is the first of its kind in the counties. It is expected to aid with the transition to net-zero by encouraging a move away from the use of fossil fuels.

It will also encourage growth of renewable electricity generation by using renewable electricity to produce and store hydrogen when renewable output is high, but electricity demand is low.

Councillors have discussed the creation of a new wildlife haven at the former Northbrook golf course in Exeter.

Exeter City Council are set to work in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust to transform the area into a wild arboretum – an extensive collection of trees and plants.

If the work goes ahead as planned, the enhanced biodiversity and green infrastructure in the area will support sustainable travel options, improve quality of life for local residents, and promote active and healthy lifestyles via walking and cycling.

Transition Exmouth have successfully crowdfunded two electric Cargo bikes for their ExeCargo project, which are now being used throughout the community.

The aim of the bikes is to promote the use of e-cargo bikes as an alternative to fossil fuel-powered vehicles. See their video for more information about the bikes, and inspiration for the variety of ways people can make use of them for easier and more sustainable travel.

Following a national award-winning £1.85m scheme to lower carbon emissions and make Torbay Leisure Centre more energy efficient, councillors had the opportunity to visit the Centre and find out about the improvements – which are estimated to cut the Centre’s carbon emissions by up to 60%.

A more environmentally-friendly air source heat pump has been installed to replace the existing gas boiler system, along with 476 new solar panels on the roof which generate electricity for the centre, as well as 474 LED light fittings in the pool hall, sports hall, gym, corridors and squash courts. A new energy efficient ‘Defender Filter’ pool filtration system has also been installed, as well as ventilation and pipework upgrades and a new building energy management system.

Power Allotments, Devon are a community energy project working in partnership between Regen and the Devon Energy Collective, and funded by Devon County Council.

Their aim is to help communities identify and submit potential sites for renewable energy projects across Devon based on their local knowledge. They will then look into these sites in more detail to find the very best options and help communities to develop them into their own community owned renewable energy and biodiversity projects!

To find out more about the project, see their interactive site finding map, and learn how you, and your community, can get involved visit the Devon Energy Collective CIC website.

The Devon Climate Emergency project is excited to announce that the finalised version of the Devon Carbon Plan was launched on Tuesday 27th September, after extensive 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. Its publication follows a summer which was the joint hottest on record, where the impact of human-induced climate change has never been more apparent. The Plan’s launch marks the beginning of a new phase of action – it is crucial that everyone in Devon now works to implement the Plan.

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 outlines 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.

You can find the Devon Carbon Plan on our website, including a Quick Read version and a Summary version. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for ongoing updates about 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 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

Sustainable South Hams Assembly; Kingsbridge Community College, Balkwill Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PL; Saturday 8th October, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Sustainable South Hams is calling Group Leaders in our communities, businesses, and parish councils to join the Sustainable South Hams Assembly. Meet inspirational pioneers and explore the amazing resources available to help you galvanise neighbourhoods, societies, club members, parishes, employees and congregations to make a difference in time.

Countryside COP 2022; A mix of virtual and live events; Monday 10th –  Friday 14th October

Ahead of COP27 in Egypt, Countryside COP will once again be held in October to allow the rural community to come together and showcase the opportunities available and the contribution already being made to reach Net Zero.

Now in its second year, Countryside COP provides a platform for anyone interested in the countryside to hear how the UK’s rural economy and agriculture can help tackle climate change and improve sustainability. Spokespeople from farming, local authority, education, research leaders and more will set out the challenges and vision for farming and the countryside.

Climate Adaptation Community of Practice: Heat; Online; Tuesday 11th October, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

The Green Futures Network's Climate Adaptation Community of Practice is open to all organisations across the UK that are working to develop their understanding of and engagement with adaptation.

Following the summer's unprecedented heatwaves, and the climate forecasts for the years ahead, this meeting will focus on heat, specifically:

• What is happening, and what is likely to happen?
• How can we best talk about the risks of rising temperatures?
• What adaptation measures should we be looking at to reduce the future impacts?

System Shift Take Action: SME Carbon footprinting; Sustainability Hub, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA (Online option available); Thursday 20th October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

How can you take meaningful action on climate change as a local enterprise based here in Devon?

Join Low Carbon Devon for a series of free workshops which will walk you through the process of calculating your carbon emissions.

Workshop series:

• Thursday 20th October
• Thursday 3rd November
• Thursday 10th November
• Thursday 17th November

These are in person events with an online option available.

Big Bike Revival, 'Learn'; Erme Court car park, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, PL21 0SZ; Sunday 23rd October

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

The final event on the 23rd will be a 'Learn' session, where you can be trained to maintain your own bikes free of charge.