Quick Navigation
- Attendees
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- Recommendations Arising from the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership April Workshop
- Project Progress Report
- Food, Land and Sea Theme Progress Update
- Net-Zero Delivery Problems and Successes
Attendees
- Meg Booth Devon County Council (Chair)
- Doug Eltham Devon County Council (Environment Group)
- Emily Reed Devon Climate Emergency
- William Jackson-Nichols Devon Climate Emergency
- Mark Burton Southwest Net Zero Hub
- Eddie Stevens Environment Agency
- John Amosford Public Health Devon
- Eileen Russell Wales and West Utilities
- Joanna Chamberlain University of Exeter
- Jason Ball Mid Devon District Council
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
No formal objections or amendments were raised regarding the minutes of the previous meeting.
Emily confirmed she had updated a number of transport action ratings and that membership of the South West Net Zero Hub in the partnership will be considered as part of a wider membership review.
Members were reminded to inform Emily Reed if their organisation has a climate adaptation strategy.
Recommendations Arising from the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership April Workshop
Concerns were raised about the low attendance at the meeting, limiting the ability to have a meaningful discussion on workshop recommendations.
Doug Eltham and Emily Reed proposed developing a paper on partnership structure and membership for the next meeting. Members interested in contributing to this work were encouraged to contact Emily.
Meg Booth will send an email to all members highlighting the importance of the next meeting and inviting nominations for the restructure working group.
Joanna Chamberlain raised the need to clarify the relationship between this group and the new Devon and Torbay Combined Authority (CCA) Net Zero Advisory Group. Meg Booth confirmed the intention to ensure alignment between the Devon Carbon Plan and CCA priorities, with Joanna acting as a liaison.
No concerns were raised regarding the workshop report content.
ACTION: Meg Booth to email group members regarding the importance of attending the next meeting to discuss restructure and prioritisation work.
ACTION: Emily Reed to coordinate input for the restructure paper.
ACTION: Joanna Chamberlain and Meg Booth to meet separately regarding ensuring a link between the CCA and Response Group.
Project Progress Report
Emily Reed summarised key updates:
- Communications are progressing well, with ongoing optimisation of newsletter timing.
- Positive developments include:
- £20 million for community regeneration in Torridge.
- 55 electric buses for Torquay.
- £33 million for flood schemes in Devon and Cornwall.
- Drone technology used by the Woodland Trust for rainforest restoration.
- Devolution discussions are ongoing with no immediate impact.
Feedback from the Climate Task Force (March) was discussed at the previous meeting.
The group acknowledged the need to refresh the progress report format to reflect new priorities.
Food, Land and Sea Theme Progress Update
Emily Reed highlighted:
- Devon Food Partnership aiming for a Silver Sustainable Food Places award.
- Research with the University of Exeter on improving resilience of the County Farms Estate is ongoing.
- Jason Ball suggested better collation and signposting of farm-related case studies.
- Consultation on a national land use framework has closed; mixed reactions noted.
- Environmental Land Management Scheme changes are causing uncertainty in the farming community.
- LNRS work is progressing, with a large conference held and consultations planned.
ACTION: Emily to explore better signposting to case studies of farm innovation projects.
ACTION: Eddie Stevens offered Environment Agency support for signposting through routine farm inspection team.
Net-Zero Delivery Problems and Successes
Positive Developments:
- New Devon County Council administration includes a Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity (Cllr Jackie Hodgson), indicating continued commitment.
- University of Exeter received £8.6 million for heat decarbonisation and opened the Lower Hoopern Valley for community and educational use.
- Environment Agency using community payback schemes for environmental maintenance.
- Devon County Council’s Live Labs project avoided a high-carbon infrastructure solution through ecological restoration of bat friendly habitat.
- Mid Devon launched a Green Enterprise Grant scheme and new home retrofit advice partnership.
Challenges:
- Concerns about the upcoming Spending Review and potential funding cuts.
- Need to better publicise positive work and counter negative perceptions.
Suggestions:
Improve storytelling around cost-saving and co-benefits of climate action.
Consider joint environmental outcome days or volunteering initiatives to strengthen collaboration.
