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Devon Climate Emergency | March 2026
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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.
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Four new Net Zero employment units have opened at Beaumont Way, Langage, supporting clean and innovative businesses across the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. Delivered by Plymouth City Council in partnership with the Freeport and funded by Government seed capital, the development was completed in just 12 months and is designed for growing sectors including clean energy, advanced manufacturing and engineering. The BREEAM Excellent, Net Carbon Zero buildings feature solar PV, EV charging and highly efficient design, reducing energy use and costs for tenants. The project also delivers strong social value, supporting apprenticeships, training and new career pathways, and is expected to create around 138 local jobs.
 A new short film from the South West Peatland Partnership highlights the vital role peatlands play in tackling climate change, reducing flood risk and supporting wildlife across Devon and the South West. Filmed on Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor, the film showcases restoration work already underway, from re‑wetting peat to stabilising water tables and protecting heritage features. More than 5,000 hectares of peatland have been restored through collaboration between landowners, farmers and partner organisations, with early benefits already visible for water flows and biodiversity. The film delivers a clear and hopeful message: with long‑term investment and partnership working, peatlands can be brought back to life for nature, climate and communities.
Meadow View, Plymouth’s new specialist facility for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, has reached a key milestone with the completion of its sustainably sourced timber frame. Led by Plymouth City Council, the project demonstrates how low‑carbon construction can deliver high‑quality public buildings, with the timber structure storing an estimated 232 tonnes of CO₂. Designed for long‑term efficiency, the building will include solar power, air source heat pumps and triple glazing to reduce energy use and running costs. When completed in summer 2026, Meadow View will provide vital day and respite support in a warm, accessible and thoughtfully designed space, setting a strong example for sustainable development across the region.
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Energy Fair South Brent – free, family‑friendly event
Saturday 7 March | 10am–1pm
Old School Community Centre, South Brent
Looking to cut energy bills, make your home warmer, or explore renewables? Join Sustainable South Brent, Sustainable South Hams and South Dartmoor Community Energy for a free drop‑in Energy Fair.
Local residents and businesses can get free, impartial advice on retrofit options, renewable energy, grants and funding, alongside practical tips to improve comfort and efficiency. Local installers will be on hand to showcase services from insulation to solar.
There’ll also be kids’ activities, including a Mini Solar Scarecrows workshop, plus refreshments — so bring the whole family.
Free entry – no ticket required. Parking is limited, so please walk, use public transport or car share where possible.
ACT Climate Movie Night: Power to the People
 Saturday 7 March | 6.30–9pm
The Courtenay Centre, Newton Abbot
Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) invites you to a free community film night featuring Power to the People, a Cornwall Climate Care documentary exploring climate action and community‑led change.
The evening includes an optional shared buffet, the film screening, and a Q&A discussion, with hot drinks and biscuits provided. Guests are welcome to bring a cold dish to share if attending the buffet.
Free event – booking via Eventbrite is essential.
Please note parking at the venue is very limited; attendees are asked to use the nearby Cricketfield Car Park.
A welcoming, informal evening of film, conversation and community.
Get involved: The Big Plastic Count (9–15 March)
The Big Plastic Count is calling on community groups to take part in this year’s nationwide effort to track plastic waste and build the evidence needed to push government action. By counting your plastic for one week, your group can help show the true scale of the problem and support calls to cut plastic at source.
Counting takes place from 9–15 March.
Find out what’s involved and register your group:
Community Emergency Hubs: be ready when every minute counts
Online workshop (choose one session):
Wednesday 11 March | 1–2pm or Thursday 19 March | 6–7pm
Devon Communities Together is offering free online workshops explaining how Community Emergency Hubs can help communities respond quickly and safely in the crucial early moments of an emergency, before emergency services arrive.
Community Emergency Hubs are community‑run spaces, set up in local buildings, where people can step into clear roles using simple guidance — no pre‑identified volunteers required. The workshop will explain how hubs work, how to set one up locally, and what’s needed to get started.
Communities that complete the workshop and meet the criteria can apply for a free Community Emergency Hub kit, available to 100 Devon communities on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Free to attend. Advance registration required.
Devon Community Resilience Forum – Spring 2026
 Thursday 26 March | 10am–4pm
Teign Valley Community Hall, Christow
Devon Communities Together is hosting the Spring Devon Community Resilience Forum, a free, drop‑in event focused on strengthening local resilience before, during and after emergencies.
Open to town and parish councils, community groups, VCSE organisations and anyone with an interest in emergency planning, the forum brings together a wide range of organisations working across preparedness, response and recovery. Attendees can explore stalls, watch live demonstrations and join short, practical talks at their own pace.
Contributors include Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, British Red Cross, JBA Consulting (Property Flood Resilience) and the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum.
Free to attend, with a light lunch and refreshments provided. Advance registration is encouraged.
Roots to Recovery: soils, nature and flood resilience
Thursday 26 March | 7–9pm
Cullompton Community Centre
Connecting the Culm’s annual forum returns with a focus on soils and their crucial role in nature recovery and flood resilience. This year’s event explores how healthier soils can help slow water, reduce flood risk and support thriving landscapes — and what this means in practice for farming and land management.
Hear from Devon farmer Andy Gray on trees, soils and farming for the future, Lucy Jefferson from Connecting the Culm on real interventions taking place on Culm farms, and Sarah Jennings (former DCC Senior Ecologist) on how soils underpin the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
The evening will include Q&A, discussion and networking, with free refreshments.
Free tickets available – booking essential.
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Local Power Plan (Community Energy)
The Government has announced the Local Power Plan, a £1 billion programme to support local and community‑owned clean energy projects across the UK. Delivered by Great British Energy (GBE), the plan will bring together grants, loans, expert advice and long‑term support to help community energy projects get off the ground and scale up.
Community energy groups and organisations developing local energy projects are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to help shape the programme ahead of funding opening later this year.
Support will include direct funding, expert technical and business support, help with long‑term planning and scaling, and changes to policy and regulation to reduce barriers such as grid connection, shared ownership and selling power locally.
From summer 2026, two early‑stage grant funds will launch:
– GBE Community Fund for community energy groups
– Partnership Fund for joint projects between local authorities and community energy groups
Construction and operational loans and a Local Investment Fund will also be available for viable projects.
Funding opens later in 2026 – Expressions of Interest are open now
Chewing Gum Task Force
Local authorities can apply for funding through the Chewing Gum Task Force grant scheme, which supports efforts to clean up historic chewing gum staining and encourage behaviour change to prevent gum being dropped in public spaces.
Grants can be used to purchase, hire or repair specialist gum‑cleaning equipment, increase street cleansing, cover staffing and training costs, or trial innovative cleaning techniques. Funding can be used in streets, town centres, transport hubs, parks and other public spaces.
Waste collection, waste disposal and unitary authorities can apply for grants of up to £27,500, or up to £30,000 where a single piece of equipment costs more than £27,500 (excluding VAT).
2026 marks the fifth year of the scheme, with previous successful applicants including Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council, North Devon Council, South Hams & West Devon Council and Teignbridge District Council.
Application deadline: 13 March 2026
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Garfield Weston Foundation is one of the UK’s largest grant‑making charities, awarding around £100 million each year to support organisations making a positive difference across communities.
Grants are typically £10,000–£50,000, though both smaller awards and major grants of £100,000+ are available. Funding can support core running costs, specific activities, or capital projects.
The foundation supports a wide range of charitable work, including environment and nature, community facilities, health and wellbeing, arts and heritage, education, youth, welfare, and physical activity and sport.
Applications are open to UK‑registered charities, CIOs, and eligible exempt or excepted organisations.
Apply at any time – no fixed deadline.
Sea‑Changers (Marine Conservation)
Sea‑Changers is a UK marine conservation charity offering grants to support marine conservation and research projects across the UK.
Several funding options are currently available:
– Main Grants: £500–£2,500, with two rounds each year (next deadline 31 March 2026)
– Small Grants: up to £500, open year‑round
– Innovation Fund 2026: grants of up to £10,000 for new or experimental marine conservation ideas (deadline 30 April 2026)
Funding can support research, direct action, species protection and education or community engagement. Applications are open to UK‑based charities and not‑for‑profit organisations, including schools, working on marine conservation.
Multiple deadlines – early‑stage and innovative projects encouraged.
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 climate@devon.gov.uk
Devon Climate Emergency
County Hall, Topsham Road
Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD
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