Exeter Science Park is leading the charge towards a sustainable future with a firm commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions. The organisation has implemented innovative strategies and employed green technologies to reduce its environmental footprint. The buildings have been designed to maximise efficiency and reduce energy usage in various ways, including LED lighting, advanced insulation and smart climate control.

Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park, outlined the ongoing work undertaken to ensure the highest sustainability standards.

"Both the Ada Lovelace and George Parker Bidder Buildings are net zero carbon for operational energy. The New Zeal Hotel, which is due to open in December 2024, will be a sustainable net zero-carbon hotel. With infrastructure to support around 100 electric car charging points and a focus on utilising public transport, Exeter Science Park is proud to be one of the most sustainable science parks in the UK, however the key is our culture of continuous improvement."

You can view a video of the Science Park on our social media channels, such as Facebook.

We are delighted that environmentally conscious organisations have supported our Climate Declaration as we work to deliver the Devon Carbon Plan.

Would you like to stay fit by doing more walking, cycling, scooting or skating while also saving money and helping improve local air quality?

If so, The Big Plymouth Travel Challenge might be the incentive you need. Registering for the challenge gives you online access to lots of useful hints, tips and support and a personalised dashboard where you can log your progress, including calories burned, miles travelled and carbon emissions cut.

There are also prizes up for grabs each week throughout July and at the end of the month-long challenge, including bikes and scooters.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.

13th July, 13.00 - 15.00, The Mansion, Totnes

Transition in the face of climate change is inevitable, justice is not. What can the environmental movement do to ensure no one is left behind in climate adaptation?

A new farmers facilitation fund for the River Teign catchment area has just been launched. Elliot Fairs will be organising meetings on natural flood management, sharing equipment and much more. If you are a farmer or landowner in the area and want to take part contact Elliot on: tvffef@outlook.com.

Image by Sophia Craddock.

It provides funding to upgrade and retrofit these buildings with energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies.

One of the successful organisations is Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, which has been awarded £1.8 million.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Five winners will be selected and featured in a celebratory film highlighting their contributions.

Replacing motorised transport with active travel combats climate change by reducing traffic, fuel usage and emissions.

The route will encourage active lifestyles, reduce car journeys, and improve access to the town centre.

‘Connecting people and landscapes in a changing climate’ will bring together regenerative farming and conservation to build a community around nature-friendly food production.

Checking nest boxes for dormice, image by Emily Marnham/PTES

The initiative aims to assist firms in identifying actions to improve their environmental approach.

Participating businesses can then apply for Rural England Prosperity Fund grants of up to £10,000 to implement their plans. Currently, 24 businesses in the South Hams have enrolled in the project.

Sustainable Tiverton has a new Youth Development Worker to support young people around climate breakdown and future sustainability. They are linking up with young people already doing fantastic work locally and tracking down youth-led ideas from across the world to inspire new local action.

Over the next 6-months, they will work out what action young people would like to get involved in, making Sustainable Tiverton more youth centred, then help work up ideas and identify resources for projects.

Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR, Pexels.

The Climate Ambassador programme is a Department for Education funded project in association with the University of Reading, EAUC and STEM Learning, in partnership with nine regional institutions.

The South West based marketing and communications agency is committed to using marketing for good, helping to elevate organisations that have a positive impact on people and planet.

They've recently become a Certified B Corp, as part of their own commitment to be a force for good.

Program publish their annual carbon footprint reports and client disclosure report; something they're pushing for others to make public. The team also run an internal programme educating employees on reducing environmental impact, as a business and individuals, led by their dedicated Sustainability Champion.

 Dawlish, in the marque on the lawn, 7th June 2024 – 18.00 – 20.00

Turn the Tide is proud to bring an interactive community theatre company performance to Dawlish! Bring your imagination, bring your sense of humour and bring your outrage to explore the impact of human behaviour on our beautiful planet.

Find a Great Big Green Week event near you!

Be part of the UK’s biggest celebration of action to tackle climate change and protect nature, taking place in communities nationwide from 8th to 16th June 2024.

Energy Local Totnes Club Hydroelectricity Launch

14:00 – 16:30, 9th June, At Totnes Weir Hydro

In celebration of the launch of the Energy Local Totnes Club, with its new access to local, affordable, renewable hydroelectric power from the Totnes Weir Hydro, there will be a fun and informative afternoon next to the Totnes Weir. There will be children's activities, tours of the Hydroelectric station and information about Energy Local Totnes, as well as Energy Saving advice and a food and drink stall.

Please book your hydroelectric tour or children's activity slot in advance if you can, (it's really helpful for our planning) at: admin@tresoc.co.uk 

Every bite of local food can help to support local farmers, reduce food miles, promote regenerative farming, strengthen communities, and improve health and wellbeing.

That's why the Devon Food Partnership are encouraging everyone to make small, simple changes to local food. Whether you shop at farmers' market, visit a farm shop, or sign up to a box scheme, together we can make a big difference.

You can share your pledge on the Every Bite Counts webpage as well as access resources to help you on your local food journey. Share your pledge by Sunday 30 June and you will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a Food Drink Devon hamper from Greendale Farm Shop!

Join us in building a more sustainable food future, one bite at a time!

22nd June 13.00 - 15.00 

Old School Hall, The Mansion, Totnes

A talk and discussion about the practicalities and opportunities of nature recovery in the UK, with practitioners and experts on the subject. With speakers from Ambios and Cows in Clover.  This event is Part of the Community Resilience Forum.

Photo by Dapur Melodi, Pexels.

22nd – 29th June 

Featuring local performers, live music, contemporary art by some of the South West’s leading artists, workshops, street entertainment, and more. Local artists have joined ACT to create events that involve, engage, excite, illuminate, and explain what our changing climate means for us, and what we can all do to reduce our impact on the planet and improve our lives.

• The Bat Conservation Trust will be at local events in Teignbridge and the South Hams as part of ‘Green Week’ in early June.
• Join activities and workshops on project farms that will help you gain wildlife surveying skills.

Contact Hannah hworthington@bats.org.uk Tel. 07565 147 459 for more information.

Devon County Council (DCC) is administering grants and resources for tree planting, supported by The Woodland Trust and The Forestry Commission. DCC are looking for community groups, including schools, town and parish councils that would like to plant trees on their land. The land can be public or private, but ideally the land should be publicly accessible, or at least accessible to a specific community group (i.e., orchards and allotments).

Please contact Elliott Saloman-Carter for more information by direct email elliott.saloman-c@devon.gov.uk

Photo by name_ gravity on Unsplash

The deadline to apply is 7 June 2024.  

Through the new Water Restoration Fund, local groups can apply for funding to bolster their capacity and capabilities for delivery of on-the-ground projects which improve the water environment.

Grant value: from £75,000 to £250,000

Photo by Robert Zunikoff on Unsplash

Grants of up to £3,500 are available to deliver cycling events to get people back on their bikes this summer.

The Big Bike Revival Programme will support activity to encourage people who do not currently cycle to consider either starting or returning to cycling.

The closing date for applications is the 25th June 2024.

Designed to seed and support schemes to increase the amount of reuse and improve involvement and awareness of reuse projects such as Repair Cafés, Libraries of Things and clothes swap events in East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, and West Devon.

To encourage and support more groups, two rounds of funding are proposed every year and applications can only be made once every 2 years (i.e., once every 4 rounds). The closing dates are:

• Round 1: Wednesday 26^th June 2024
• Round 2: Wednesday 27^th November 2024

For more information or to request an information and application form, please contact Jennifer.cooper@devon.gov.uk.

Photo by Ravin Rau on Unsplash