We have developed a Carbon, Environment and Biodiversity Plan that will see us move to a low carbon, sustainable and resilient future and support our communities in this vital journey. We published our first Annual Review of this plan in 2023. 

Summary of the Council’s plan.

Action to date includes:

• Changes to our grounds maintenance regime to reduce carbon and encourage nature;
• Trial of biodiversity net gain approach;
• Improvements to our kerbside recycling collection to include additional materials, including food waste;
• Working with Carbon Savvy to promote use of personal carbon footprints and support people to make changes that reduce carbon;
• We have replaced our old Leisure Centre with a more energy efficient building;
• Working with 361 Energy to promote home energy efficiency advice

More recently North Devon Council has:

• Committed just under £100k to improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon impact of a number of our properties.
• Begun to deliver Barnstaple’s Future High Street Fund project, repurposing and redeveloping historic buildings in the town centre and enhancing the town’s conservation area.
• Planted 18,500 trees with a further 5,500 to be planted winter 23/24 in a 37 acre extension to our community woodland in Yeo Valley, Barnstaple.
• Trialled use of an electric van in our Grounds Maintenance team, with a view to replacing diesel vehicles where practical.
• Resurfaced a pedestrian walkway at Ilfracombe Harbour using discarded plastic fishing waste collected on site through the Odyssey project.