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Devon Climate Emergency | September 2023
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 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.
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Petroc College of Further and Higher Education is set to run a new Foundation Degree in Sustainable Environment Management from this September.
Students will gain an awareness of sustainability issues, develop a professional understanding of business, and be provided with the skills needed for managing the environment and environmental protection.
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In May this year, over 800 volunteers from Devon and across the UK joined forces for the BIG FIX 2023, to help 2242 residents fix their broken belongings and prevent them from going to waste.
The 2,761 items repaired resulted in an emission saving equivalent to flying nearly 80,000 miles, driving 125,500 miles and showering 3,966 times.
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The Apricot Centre Community Interest Company is now the only location in the country offering Level 2, 3 and 4 Diplomas in Regenerative Land Based Systems.
Its success follows a free pilot training programme in sustainable farming last year, supported by Devon County Council through their Natural Capital Challenge Fund.
It is estimated that the continued use of the regenerative farming methods taught will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions of 430 tonnes per year.
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Groups running projects to give their community a helping hand can apply for a share of Devon County Council's Growing Communities Fund to support their work.
Previous projects have used the money to produce a recipe booklet focusing on sustainable recipes, offer warm spaces during winter, distribute surplus food and other activities to boost local wellbeing.
Applications close in March 2024.
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Is your business based in Torbay? Don't miss the new free Make It Net Zero Torbay programme for easy access support from SWMAS to:
- Calculate a baseline carbon footprint
- Develop a decarbonisation plan
- Progress towards a net-zero future
Local businesses of all shapes and sizes will benefit from a bespoke package of support to help them save money on energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions.
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Following the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy consultation, a draft consultation report with recommendations for amendments to the Strategy has been circulated to the Devon Climate Emergency partnership and Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Impacts Group for their consideration. This report will be published online once it has been signed off by these groups.
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The Net-Zero Task Force was dissolved after the publication of the Devon Carbon Plan. We are grateful to Professor Patrick Devine-Wright for his excellent job as chair of the Task Force and for the significant contributions of all Net-Zero Task Force members towards producing the Devon Carbon Plan.
A Devon Climate Task Force is now being set up to use its specialist knowledge and experience to offer advice on and scrutiny of the implementation of both the Climate Adaptation Strategy and Devon Carbon Plan. We are delighted that Claire Pearce, formerly Low Carbon Devon Project Manager now moving onto project management of the university’s new Net-Zero Exchange project, has accepted the invite to chair the Devon Climate Task Force. Learn more about Claire and her experience in next month's newsletter.
Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero - over 120 businesses, councils, schools and more have already signed the Devon Climate Declaration to show the growing support for taking action.
The Diverse Regeneration Company CIC signed in January 2023. They are a team of highly experienced advisors, focussing on grant funding for rural businesses and organisations. Their advisors have specialist knowledge in farming, business, public sector, community and forestry work and many combined years of experience.
Their goal is to work collaboratively with organisations and individuals to achieve sustainable, equitable access to transport, employment opportunities, community facilities, training and education within thriving rural areas.
Businesses and organisations can sign the Devon Climate Declaration for the chance to be featured on our website, social media and in our newsletter.
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 Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.
Wildlife at Rosemoor - Talk by Sheila Dearing of RHS Rosemoor; Fremington Parish Hall, Higher Road, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3BG; Friday 8th September, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
This DWT Barnstaple & District Local Group event is a chance to hear from Sheila Dearing of RHS Rosemoor about how staff manage areas for wildlife.
Attendees are asked for an entry donation of £3 to cover costs of the event with any surplus being used for North Devon based conservation activities.
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Future Energy Landscapes toolkit webinar; Online; Thursday 14th September, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Learn about the Centre of Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Future Energy Landscapes approach, which is effective in demonstrating community-led support for renewable energy deployment.
The webinar will cover:
- CSE's open-source toolkit of resources
- How this approach can be used by local planning authorities, neighbourhood planning, community energy and civil society groups
- CSE’s insights and learning
- A question-and-answer section
General admission is £15.
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Dr Bike; University of Exeter St Lukes and Streatham campus; Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September
Calling Exeter students - Dr Bike will be at St Lukes and Streatham offering free safety checks on your bike, just in time for the start of term.
Subscribe to the Unicycle mailing list to book your free 15-minute safety check up.
You can also meet the Sustainability Team on Streatham Campus in the Forum on the Friday. Find out what the University is doing to meet its sustainability objectives and how you can get involved.
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Carbon Reduction Symposium; Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA; Saturday 23rd September, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
What can you do about climate change? Is it 'too little, too late' or 'never too late'?
This free event is a collaboration between Plymouth City Council and the University of Plymouth. Open to all, the symposium is packed with roundtable discussions, workshops and inspirational presentations. This is your chance to become part of a community that is dedicated to a greener and more sustainable future.
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Community tree nursery - volunteering sessions; Meeth Quarry, Hatherleigh, EX20 3ER; Throughout September
Devon Wildlife Trust hold regular volunteer sessions at their Community Tree Nursery in Meeth. The nursery grows UK broadleaf trees in cells which are then distributed across Devon to local communities, schools, parishes and landowners via the Saving Devon’s Treescapes project.
Sessions usually start at 10:00am and finish at 1:00pm, but you do not have to attend every session or for the whole duration. Children are welcome but under 18s must be supervised by an adult at all times.
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Thirsty For Fashion Exhibition - Reused, Recycled, Reborn; Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE; Daily until Sunday 5th November
The 'Thirsty For Fashion' exhibition at Killerton explores circular fashion from the 18th century to the present day. Items from the National Trust’s largest fashion collection highlight some of the techniques used to repair and reuse clothing throughout history.
The exhibition shows how we are rethinking our approach to fashion and its environmental impact.
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 Devon Climate Emergency
County Hall, Topsham Road
Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD
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