Devon Climate Emergency | November 2024

Welcome To Our November Newsletter!

There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience and implementing the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy. 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.

Funded Training Offered for Future Climate Leaders

Become a Climate Champion for your organisation!

Devon County Council are funding a 10-week training course for Devon employees to become sustainability leaders with Train4Tomorrow.

The Future Climate Leaders Skills Bootcamp has been developed by experts from a wide spectrum of specialisms at the University of Plymouth. Up to 90% funded, the training course is your chance to become a climate champion for your organisation so you can get to grips with and tackle environmental challenges within your sector.

Photo by Matheus Bertelli, Pexels

More EV Chargers to be Installed in Plymouth

A new trial is launching for residents of Plymouth who don’t have private parking and struggle to charge their electric vehicles at home.

Thanks to funding from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund Plymouth will have:

• 100 pavement channels (to enable residents to run a cable from an electricity supply in their house)
• 600 public pedestal and/or flush-fitting chargers on-street and in car parks

Work to Improve Climate Resilience of Rail Line

The Environment Agency and Network Rail are undertaking significant work to protect the main rail line through Devon and into Cornwall, particularly the section between Exeter and Dawlish along the Exe Estuary. This area is vulnerable to erosion due to rising sea levels and increased storm activity, both consequences of climate change.

Photo by Boys in Bristol Photography from Pexels

North Devon Council Moves Towards a Greener Future with Electric Vehicles

North Devon Council is progressing its sustainability efforts by transitioning to electric vehicles. Following successful trials, the council will replace two diesel vehicles in its Parks Team with electric vans, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency.

The council plans to extend this transition to other departments, including Parking and Waste & Recycling, depending on budget and infrastructure. Recent trials of an electric HGV waste lorry also showed promise but highlighted challenges in rural areas. Further testing is planned before replacing larger waste vehicles.

Devon Climate Emergency Recruiting a Support Officer

The Devon Climate Emergency Secretariat have a vacancy for a Climate Emergency Support Officer. This graduate role will support the Devon Climate Emergency Project Manager, principally with partner and wider stakeholder engagement and communications requirements of the project.

The role will also help ensure the partners feel involved in the project and will network with them and wider stakeholders to increase engagement and awareness of the partnership’s activities and to promote the activities to an extensive audience. 

Organisation Spotlight - Creative Arts Therapy Devon CIC

Photo by Sarah Dietz, Pexels

We are delighted that Creative Arts Therapy Devon CIC is a signatory of the Devon Climate Declaration. They have calculated their carbon footprint and are working towards being net-zero by 2030.

They told us about the things they are doing to help address the climate emergency:

"Whilst we use vehicles to be mobile therapists we are committed to working within our local communities as much as possible to promote cycling and walking (train for further journeys) to our places of work. Where possible we work virtually with clients and for meetings. We work from home, and we are ecologically mindful of our energy consumption throughout the year. We are working towards developing a climate action plan, and plan to be net-zero by 2030 for our travel (minimum)."

We are delighted that environmentally conscious organisations have supported our Climate Declaration as we work to deliver the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Tamar Energyfest

9 Nov, 10:00 to 15:00 | Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock.

This year’s theme, “Cosy, Efficient, and Future-Ready,” focuses on practical strategies for retrofitting homes to enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience against rising energy costs and climate change. With free entry, this event is ideal for anyone concerned about the climate emergency, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency—or simply looking to lower their bills.

Attendees can receive free, impartial advice from experts on retrofitting and energy management. You’ll also find knowledgeable exhibitors, information stalls, and interactive displays.

Community Action Groups Devon SkillShare24

09 November | The Mint, Exeter

You’re invited to join CAG Devon for SkillShare24, a day focused on environmental action, inspiration, and building resilience through community connections!

This year’s theme, "Resilience Through Connecting," explores how working together strengthens individuals and groups, helping us achieve more locally. Expect practical workshops, creative activities, and discussions on the latest local climate initiatives. You'll have the chance to network, share ideas, and make meaningful connections, all while enjoying good food and planning next steps for taking action in your community!

SkillShare24 welcomes anyone interested in making their communities more resilient and sustainable. Join us for a day of connection, learning, laughter, creativity, reflection and inspiration. We are stronger together.

We sold out last year so make sure to secure your place. 

Check out our video from SkillShare23 for a flavour of what’s to come: CAG Devon SkillShare23

Introduction to Community Action on Energy

6 of Nov 10:00 -11:00 | Zoom 

In this online session, the Centre for Sustainable Energy will give an overview of the many ways that communities can take action on energy.

Free Cycle Training Sessions for Adults this November

The dates for Active Devon's sessions in November are live and can be found here: Calendly - FREE Adult Cycle Training | Active Devon

This month, sessions are available in Exeter, Exmouth, Torrington, Bideford and Newton Abbot.

Active Devon provide sessions suitable for every level from beginner to intermediate!

As the world faces increasingly devastating climate-related disasters, why do so many people believe that the climate crisis is nothing more than a hoax?

In this eye-opening documentary, Jaz, a young mobile hairdresser and social media-savvy member of the TikTok generation, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth.

In home visits with leading climate scientists, activists and sceptics, she starts to unravel a web of misinformation and conspiracy theories that should worry us all.

#ClimateScam? is the latest documentary produced by Cornwall Climate Care. The screening will be followed by a Q&A.

Repair Cafes 

Happening across Devon - follow link for dates and times.

There are a number of repair cafes happening across Devon this November helping you to mend a range of broken items. Check out the Community Action Group website by following the button below for more information.

Rootstock Sessions: Dairy Resilience in the Face of Change

Nov 28 11:00 - 14:00

Westpoint Arena, Conference Centre Clyst Saint Mary EX5 1DJ

This event brings together voices from the Devon dairy industry to explore resilience and sustainability in the face of change. This dynamic event, a precursor to Rootstock – Devon’s Future Farming Conference on 6 February 2025, is a collaboration between the Devon County Agricultural Association, Devon Agri Tech Alliance Devon County Council, and Forum for the Future.

Farmers and industry stakeholders will engage in discussions on the challenges and opportunities in dairy farming, contributing to The Future of Dairy project. The goal is to build a more resilient UK dairy industry that can withstand financial, environmental, and social challenges.

Adopting Net-Zero Solutions in the South West’s Building Industry

 22 Nov, 9:30-14.30 | Exeter College Technology Centre, College Way, Exeter EX1 3PZ 

Bradfords Building Supplies and Plymouth Business School invite you to this launch event, for all individuals and organisations interested in the extent to which low carbon solutions are being adopted in construction across the South West region. 

The launch will reveal the results of detailed research conducted over the summer examining the use by the construction industry of low-carbon building materials in the South West. The research was funded by the Net-Zero Exchange project at the University of Plymouth Sustainable Earth Institute.

Bat Conservation Trust Events

Connect Café, 20 Nov, 19:30 - 21:00

November’s café session is all about the power of citizens when it comes to looking after our wildlife and landscapes, learn about citizen science and how we people can make a difference to conservation through simply observing the world around us.

Winter wildlife on the farm, 24 Nov, 13:00 to 15.30

Come and explore Gappah Farm, near Chudleigh and help out with a Winter Wildlife Survey. Try out some wildlife recording Apps and work on your identification skills all while enjoying a walk on one of the project’s amazing farms. Refreshments provided.

Energy for Tomorrow

EfT is Centrica's social impact fund, backing innovation and providing funding and support to communities with initiatives that can deliver a greener, fairer future for all. EfT encourages collaborative action and aims to advance initiatives that can bring us closer to a fairer, more sustainable future. 

Igniting Innovation: conservation challenge

Igniting Innovation is an exciting nature conservation challenge that invites passionate young people to share their brightest ideas for a healthier planet. This is your chance to bring a real project to life with funding and expert support. Applications for 2025 are open. 

Tree Council: Branching Out Fund

Deadline: 1 Dec 2024

The Tree Council grants programme, Branching Out, is now open for applications from not-for-profit organisations seeking to establish trees and hedges in the 2024/25 planting season.

Stobart Sustainability Fund

Funding is available for organisations that want to transform their local community through projects that tackle climate change, reduce carbon emissions or that protect and enhance the environment.

Community groups, schools and colleges or small businesses involved in sustainability initiatives can apply for a grant from the new Stobart Sustainability Fund.

Have you got an event, opportunity, or story around tackling climate change?

Let us know! For the chance to be featured in our newsletter, email environmentalpolicy@devon.gov.uk

Devon Climate Emergency
County Hall, Topsham Road
Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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