Have a read to find out what we’ve been up to recently.
Like everyone across the world, we have been living in worrying and unprecedented times which has, naturally, changed some of our plans. With the health and wellbeing of our team and our communities of the utmost importance, we have delayed and changed a some of our plans. But, this doesn’t mean we’re not addressing the other emergency, we’re just working differently now.
Devon Carbon Plan Updates
Following government advice on mass gatherings, the Citizens’ Assembly has been postponed, changing the way in which the Devon Carbon Plan will be structured. Following a suggestion by the Climate Emergency Response Group (DCERG), the members of the Net Zero Task are now working hard to produce a version 1 of the Devon Carbon Plan ahead of the Citizens’ Assembly. This plan will include key actions which could be implemented locally across Devon and will be open to public consultation by the autumn. Version 2 of the plan which will include actions which have been deliberated by the Citizens’ Assembly, will now be delayed until mass gatherings are allowed again and we can run the Citizens’ Assembly, this ensures the final plan is reflective of the opinions of Devon citizens.
Climate Impact Group Updates
Although the torrential rains and multiple storms of the start of the year feel like a distant memory, the climate is already changing, and we need to start preparing for this. The Climate Impacts Group is using Met Office climate projections to inform narratives describing, in qualitative terms, the effects of climate change on:
- Flood and coastal risk (led by the Environment Agency)
- Health (led by public health England)
- The natural environment (led by West Country Rivers Trust, as appointed by the Local Nature Partnership)
The group is now chaired by Helen Dobby, Area Director of the Environment Agency, who will be working to facilitate the production of an Initial Risk Review in the short term and develop the Devon Adaptation Plan in the longer term.
Post Covid Green Recovery
As with everyone across Devon, and further afield, our lives have changed drastically in the past few months. Coronavirus has challenged our assumptions, our habits and our choices. From cleaner air, to less pollution, to more time with our families and increased community cohesion, there are some changes caused by Covid-19 which we would like to see maintained in the future. The DCERG is working hard to consider how this crisis could be used as an opportunity to transition towards a better world and ensure the economic recovery in Devon is centred on a green, low-carbon recovery.
Keep following our social media and checking back on the website for updates.
