The second Annual Review of the our Carbon, Environment and Biodiversity Plan was published in 2024.
In the past year we have:
- secured £88k through the Swimming Pool Support Fund to install solar panels at Ilfracombe Pool.
- agreed to replace two of our diesel Parks vehicles with electric vehicles, and extended our electric vehicle trials to other teams.
- agreed to prepare a new joint Local Plan, in collaboration with Torridge District Council. Thematic Working Groups will be set up to support this review, including a Climate and Environmental Emergency group, which will provide a forum for exploring opportunities to be incorporated within the plan.
- completed a 37 acre extension to our community woodland in Yeo Valley, Barnstaple. This has been funded through the Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer.
- worked with award-winning photographer Gideon Mendel and local primary schools to highlight the impacts of climate change around the Taw Torridge Estuary, culminating in an exhibition held at Barnstaple Pannier Market.
- re-commissioned 361 Energy to provide a home energy advice service, prioritising vulnerable and low-income households.
We have also produced a simple to read summary of the council’s plan and of our Carbon Footprint.
Previous versions of our plans are available Carbon, Environment and Biodiversity Plan (2022) and first Annual Review (2023).
Councillor Climate Action Team
North Devon Council have set up a Councillor Climate Action Team to provide an operational response and delivery of our stated aim that North Devon Council will achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
This group is chaired by our Lead Member for Climate and Biodiversity, Councillor Ricky Knight.
Devon Climate Emergency
Both North Devon and Torridge District Councils signed the Devon Climate Declaration. We are members of the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, working with partners to create a Devon Carbon Plan, and an Adaptation Plan for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The group has three objectives:
- Improve the resilience of Devon's environment against the effects of climate change.
- Facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest, to include substantial nature improvement to absorb carbon.
- Prepare Devon's communities for the necessary adaptations to infrastructure and services to respond to a warmer world.
Town and Parish Councils
Declare your commitment
Town and Parish Councils can sign up to the Devon Climate Emergency Declaration via Devon Climate Emergency's website.
Understanding the Carbon Emissions of your area
The Centre for Sustainable Energy and Exeter University have produced a carbon footprint tool for town and parish Councils.
The Place-Based Carbon Calculator estimates the per-person carbon footprint for every Lower Super Output Area in England. Lower Super Output Area's are small statistical areas with a population of about 1,500 - 3,000. It draws on a wide range of data and research to give a representative view of how carbon footprints vary across the country.
The tool was produced with funding from UK Research and Innovation through the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions. The site is operated by the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions project on behalf of the University of Leeds and the University of Oxford.
Calculate your Council's carbon footprint
Local Partnerships and the Local Government Associated created a Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool to provide a straightforward and consistent approach for councils seeking to calculate their own carbon baseline.
The tool produces summary tables and charts to help local authorities understand their most significant sources of emissions, which can then be used to prioritise actions to reduce carbon emissions.
Councils are also able to benchmark their emissions with other councils to understand how their performance compares with their peers.
Take action!
Friends of the Earth have produced a report on 20 actions parish and town councils can take on the climate and nature emergency.
Funding and advice
Funding may be available to help you take action. You could check out our latest North Devon Climate Action page or visit Devon County Council's funding news page.