Plymouth City Council have installed 222 new solar panels on the upper roof deck of the Theatre Royal car park, which will power the entire car park plus contribute to the Plymouth grid.

The total installation can produce up to 94kWp per year, saving up to 17 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

Volunteers, Moor Trees and The Duchy Of Cornwall worked together to collect more than 5,000 acorns from Wistman's Wood in order to bolster existing woodland.

These acorns will be taken to Moor Trees' Dartington Community Tree Nursery to be processed for germination. After two years, they will be planted elsewhere on the original site.

Schools can now submit their ideas for how they would use a prize of either £1000 or £200 to bring students closer to nature.

The OVO Foundation Nature Prize competition is run by Let's Go Zero and is supported by the OVO Foundation.

Applications close on Monday 27th November.

The Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Adaptation Strategy was open for public consultation this summer and findings have now been disseminated.  

The Strategy is intended to help communities across the Southwest to better understand the risks their area might face in future as climate change increasingly affects the UK. It will also help them to adapt to these changes, by identifying the parties responsible for ensuring community safety.

Findings from 214 responses to the consultation are that 80% either “support the strategy” or “support some parts of the strategy but not others”. 76% are concerned about climate change, and 69% have felt the effects of climate change already.  

Overall, respondents recognise that immediate action on climate change and adaptation is needed, and that the Strategy is comprehensive and evidence-based. Feedback to be considered for the final Strategy and its implementation includes greater quantification of costs and clearer timelines, more detailed evaluation metrics, and more explicit connections between national work and regional priorities.  

The DCIoS Climate Impacts Group (CIG) commissioned this Strategy, led by consultants RSK Group (including subsidiaries ADAS and WRc). The CIG will now work to finalise the Strategy and collaborate with organisations to put it into practice.

You can now view the latest progress on Priority Actions in the Devon Carbon Plan on the website. Going forward themes will be reported on twice a year. Themes that have been reported on so far include Built Environment; Transport; Economy and Resources and Food, Land and Sea. The actions have been rated as either red, amber, green or completed, depending on how activity is progressing.

The report outlines progress in the last quarter, issues hampering the delivery of actions and anticipated action in the next quarter.

In the coming months information on progress on the Energy and Cross Cutting Themes Actions will be added.

Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero - Alder and Alder have joined over 120 other businesses, councils, schools and more who have already signed the Devon Climate Declaration to show the growing support for taking action.

Alder and Alder are a brand agency that help organisations to make an impact. They work with organisations to explore the purpose and values that drive them, so that they can tell their audience what it is that makes them different. They create visual identities that are distinctive and memorable, so organisations can make an impact, in print, in person and online. And they then help organisations to bring their brand to life, so that their brand isn’t just something the people ‘see’, but something that people ‘experience’.

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

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.

Bringing Students Closer to Nature and Improving Biodiversity; Online; Thursday 9th November, 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Plymouth Eco Market - Winter Market; Devonport Guildhall, Ker Street, Plymouth, PL1 4EL; Saturday 11th November, 10:00am – 3:00pm

Come along to the Plymouth Eco Market to enjoy planet-friendly market stalls, activities, mindful taster workshops, music and more.

It's the perfect day for anyone wanting to support local planet-friendly small businesses and get involved in local projects and initiatives.

SkillShare23: Creating a climate for wellbeing; Cullompton Community Centre, Pye Corner, Cullompton, EX15 1JX; Saturday 11th November, 10:00am – 3:30pm

You’re invited! CAG Devon’s SkillShare23’s theme is “Creating a climate for wellbeing”, recognising that volunteering for local environmental projects and climate action can have a hugely positive impact on individual and community wellbeing.  

There will be a wealth of exciting workshops lined up, not to mention delicious food freshly prepared by ReRooted, and plenty of opportunity for inspiration, celebration and networking. 

Topics to be covered include: reduce, repair and reuse – gleaning – connecting with nature – reducing single-use plastics – pollinator projects and setting one up – working through the arts to create climate action – rivers, citizen science and community connections.

Open to all and free!

The Energy Wise Show; Totnes Civic Hall, TQ9 5SN; Saturday 11th November, 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Want to learn more about reducing your energy costs and waste? Join Transition Town Totnes to explore ways to cut energy costs, reduce energy use and make long-term changes to minimise your carbon footprint.

With rising energy bills and a cost-of-living crisis, there’s never been a more pressing time to take matters into our own hands to reduce our energy consumption. You’ll hear from local energy projects in Totnes and South Devon who will be on hand to offer support and inspiration, as well as practical information from trained energy advisors.

November Food Thinkers: How can we reduce the impacts of food on climate change, and vice versa?; Online; Wednesday 15th November, 5:15pm – 6:30pm

Professor Sarah Bridle, University of York, will speak at this City, University of London webinar about her work to engage citizens on the links between food and climate change, the role of governments, potential food crises and more.

6th Transition Town Totnes Film Festival; Totnes Cinema, High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5NP; Sunday 19th November, 10am – closing

The Transition town Totnes Film Festival returns with activities, films and talks exploring ways we can all live more sustainably.

10am-12pm: animation workshop to make your own short film facilitated by filmakers Emilio Nula and Edson Acero - everyone is welcome.

12-1pm: Showing of animation films on the big screen.

2-5.30pm: Three environmental documentary films will be screened, including Food For Thought, Under the Surface and Drinkable Rivers with Q&As provided by Cornwall Climate Care, Schumacher College and Friends of the River Dart.

7pm: feature film King Coal introduced by Rob Hopkins.

Bar and Cafe open throughout the day.

Get Connected: Charging towards a greener future; Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ; Tuesday 21st November, 9:00am – 1:00pm

Join Connect Plymouth for the upcoming event on Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure as we make steps towards net-zero. The event will explore the different ways we can make a positive impact on the environment and our local communities and help businesses transition to net zero.

You’ll get the chance to test drive electric vehicles, speak to industry experts about the latest grants and opportunities and find out more about the EV charging network in Plymouth.

The event is free to attend - just register for your free ticket.

Managing carbon on-farm – providing opportunities for farmers; Online; Wednesday 22nd November, 11:00am – 2:00pm