Specially-designed concrete panels will provide new habitats for marine flora and fauna on the edge of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

It is hoped that the panels become home to limpets, barnacles, anemones, seaweeds, sponges and other species commonly found in natural habitats along the South West coastline. They will be monitored over the coming months.

Farms in the South Hams and West Devon can access bespoke support to improve their productivity through Regenerative Farming methods.

As well as other specialist support worth up to £2000, farms could have up to 30 hours of assistance with carbon audits, innovation diagnostics, help with grant applications and any other support required to help put plans into action.

With autumn / winter on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about how to keep homes cosy and warm.

Claire Pearce, formerly Low Carbon Devon Project Manager now moving onto project management of the University of Plymouth's new Net-Zero Exchange project, has begun her new role as Chair of the new Devon Climate Task Force.

The Devon Climate Task Force will 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.

An introduction from Claire:

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

"I was actually born in Cornwall, but upon graduation from the University of Plymouth, I moved to London for 8 years, first working for a charity and then the University of East London. It was on their Docklands Campus that I got my first experience of sustainability knowledge exchange between universities and industry through their Sustainability Research Institute.

Upon reflection, my interest in the environment and climate change started way before this – with my A-levels in geography and biology. For geography, I studied the impact of wind farms on the local environment, visiting Delabole and the (then) new Cold Northcott installation near Launceston.  For biology, it was the impact of tree-planting on farmland soil.

Since moving back to Devon in 2009, I have worked at both the University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter, managing European-funded projects. And that is what brought me to net zero; the Sustainability Hub – Low Carbon Devon project, which I managed between 2019 and June 2023. The team delivered a variety of academic consultancy and also student/graduate internships to businesses throughout Devon, helping over 70 companies to start or progress along their low carbon journey."

What are you looking forward to most about being the Chair of the Climate Task Force?

"I felt honoured to be asked to Chair the Climate Task Force in Devon and am looking forward to working with the other members, all of whom bring different expertise and skills to the team, to support the delivery of the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy through our role of offering advice and scrutiny."

What do you love most about Devon and why?

"We’re fortunate to live in Tavistock, which means that we are overlooked by Dartmoor and experience first-hand how the moor changes with the seasons; I love it! Being on the border means we have easy access to not just our moor, but the coast and I feel very lucky to be able to get out and about so easily."

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.

Remit Zero® are the designers and producers of cylo®, the first zero emission thermal energy store and boiler capable of providing the heat and hot water most UK homes would need on the coldest winter day. It uses water to store energy, which it draws from mains electricity at off-peak, low-cost times or from a local renewable source where available. It stores the energy until it is needed as hot water in your taps and radiators.

From their base at Exeter Science Park, they are on a mission to decarbonise Britain's homes and buildings and help organisations with large property portfolios reach their net-zero targets. You can register for more details on their website.

Businesses and organisations can sign the Devon Climate Declaration for the chance to be featured on our website, social media and in our newsletter.

Circular Economy Collage Workshop;32 Kirkby Place, Plymouth, PL4; Friday 6th October, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

This Climate Clarity CIC workshop will help you to understand the linear and circular economy, including strategies for circularisation and how to implement them.

Tickets are £3.

Open Eco Homes Weekend; Totnes and Dartington; Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October

Local Totnes and Dartington eco-builders and renovators will open their homes to allow the public to explore real-life examples of sustainable living.

Visit homes and find out more about solar panels, heat pumps, biomass heating, insulation, electric car charging, wildlife gardening and more. You can also attend scheduled talks and Q&As.

Find a full list of open homes and events on the Transition Town Totnes website.

Next Steps in Carbon Farming; Online; Tuesday 17th October, 5:00pm – 6:15pm

Recycle Devon: International Repair Day; America Hall, De La Rue Way, Exeter EX4 8PX; Saturday 21st October, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Saving Species Conference: reconnecting, restoring and rewilding; South Devon College, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ; Thursday 26th October, 9:30am – 4:00pm

Learn about animal conservation from a variety of speakers. Talks include:

• The Two Moors Pine Marten Project: Could pine martens return to the southwest?
• Conservation and Empathy
• Britain's Lost Wildlife
• Habitat Connectivity or Reconnecting Wildlife: no patch is too small.

See the link for ticket prices.

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.