ABOUT DCE
A COLLABORATION
Devon Climate Emergency are a partnership of local authorities, emergency services, businesses and voluntary organisations dedicated to taking action on climate change in Devon. Partner organisations came together in 2019 to declare a climate and ecological emergency, committing to help Devon reach net-zero, reverse the associated declines to wildlife and ecosystems and prepare communities for climate impacts. Our mission is to empower Devon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest, taking heed of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s stark warnings.
OBJECTIVES
To coordinate a collaborative Devon-wide response to the climate emergency and ecological crisis to:
IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT
Improve the resilience of Devon’s environment against the effects of climate change.
REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS
Facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest, to include substantial nature improvement to absorb carbon.
GET COMMUNITIES READY
Prepare Devon‘s communities for the necessary adaptations to infrastructure and services to respond to a warmer world.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has advised that carbon emissions must reduce globally by at least 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels. There is a chance we can avoid the worst effects of climate change by keeping warming below 1.5 degrees. To achieve this we must be carbon neutral (net-zero) by 2050 or earlier.
In response, a range of public, private and voluntary organisations from across Devon came together on 22nd May 2019 to form the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, to declare a climate and ecological emergency and to endorse the principles of the Devon Climate Declaration.
This recognises that we are aware of the significant implications of climate change for Devon’s communities. Together, we have developed a Devon Carbon Plan, which was created by the Net-Zero Task Force.
Additionally, it recognises that we need to understand the current and future risks of climate change for Devon and communities will have to adapt to a warmer world. This work is being taken forward by the Climate Impacts Group, who developed the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy.
STRUCTURE
The partnership is overseen by the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group (DCERG). This was established on 9th May 2019. The DCERG is supported by a Tactical Group, which provides advice and practical support.
Regional collaboration on adaptation occurs through the Climate Impacts Group, whilst the Climate Task Force acts as a critical friend to the partnership.
The partnership is supported by a secretariat based at Devon County Council.
THE DEVON CLIMATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GROUP
The DCERG is made up of senior officers of 30 organisations including councils, emergency services, businesses and voluntary organisations and has been established to provide the strategic coordination of a collaborative response to the Devon Climate Emergency. It is currently chaired by Devon County Council.
The Devon Climate Task Force uses its expertise to provide independent guidance and oversight on the execution of the Climate Adaptation Strategy and the Devon Carbon Plan. The Task Force members have expertise in topics relevant to carbon reduction and climate adaptation and are drawn from business, environmental, community and academic organisations.
The Tactical Group is comprised of representatives from the partnership membership. It has been established to provide advice and practical support to the Response Group. It also provides a space for knowledge exchange between partners.
The Climate Impacts Group is using its collective knowledge to monitor and drive implementation of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Adaptation Plan. This considers how the region and its citizens can adapt to living in a warmer world. It is currently chaired by the Environment Agency.
