North Devon UNESCO Biosphere wins £1.4m to boost blue and green economy in the South West
19.01.22
The North Devon Biosphere has won £1.4 million from the Community Renewal Fund to promote green growth and investment in the area, as well as raising wellbeing for local communities through nature-based solutions.
The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere is a UNESCO protected area because of its unique ecosystem. The area covers 30% of Devon and extends 12 miles past Lundy island into the Bristol channel.
The money will be used to deliver a programme of projects in across north Devon that will be designed to create great jobs for local people and respond to the climate and ecological emergencies. Up to 1300 new green jobs may be created by 2026.
This programme broadly involves two key elements: a ‘Green Biosphere’, focused on woodland, regenerative agriculture and agritech; and a ‘Blue Biosphere’ focused on offshore wind, aquaculture, marine biodiversity and ‘blue carbon’ – storing more carbon in coastal habitats.
How is this helping Devon reach net-zero?
Action F6. Support immature industries with the potential to contribute to delivering a Net-zero Devon.
Action F9. Work with the NFU and other representatives of the farming community to encourage approaches to conserve and rejuvenate soil carbon (organic matter)
Action F19.4. Pilot specific initiatives which lead to marine Carbon Sequestration.
Action R29. Develop training and reskilling opportunities with higher education providers and the Local Enterprise Partnership to enable workers in carbon-intensive sectors to redeploy into emerging sectors to ensure the low carbon skills base is available.
