Events and News

A montage of climate action. Base – Uffculme community volunteers planting trees; top left to right – community recycling up 9% admired by Councillors Natasha Bradshaw and Josh Wright; leisure centre renewable energy systems; the Net Zero Visions mural devised by artists, communities and local group Sustainable Tiverton.

Community groups such as Tiverton Tree Team have worked with the council to engage local communities and boost habitats

Mid Devon District Council is thanking local champions across the district, as it marks the fourth anniversary of the Council’s climate emergency declaration.

In June 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency and committed to Net Zero by 2030. Since then the Council has worked with communities and businesses to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable living as a signatory partner to the Devon Carbon Plan.

Communities and the Council have come together on events, art, food and wildlife projects. Pollinator projects are active in parks and the housing teams are working with tenants on hedgehog haven zones. The Net Zero Visions mural hosted at the council-owned Tiverton Pannier Market is a vision of a low-carbon future created by Kate Crawfurd and a team of artists in collaboration with the community. The Council hosted new community orchards planted in 2021 and 2022, vibrant local assets that rely on the local community to care for them, and in turn the orchards offer vibrant, green spaces for sustainable food, buzzing wildlife, activities and relaxation.

Strategic schemes the Council also supports include the Connecting the Culm, Visit Mid Devon and the local food partnership Taste Mid Devon.

The council’s Climate and Sustainability specialist encourages shared use of its dedicated website sustainablemiddevon.org.uk to publish news about local green events and activities online - plus tips on saving energy, doing your bit, and where to find advice.

Jason Ball, Climate and Sustainability Specialist expressed his appreciation of community partners: 

“The Council has invested millions in exciting projects since 2019 but the biggest achievements for Mid Devon communities will always depend on partnership and grassroots action. That’s why we applaud green groups that inspire our communities with creativity and practical ways to do something positive. The astounding energy of Mid Devon’s green champions can empower communities and forward-looking enterprises to lead the changes we all need.”

Councillor Natasha Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Climate Change said:

“We applaud Mid Devon’s community groups and we would like to invite all our local climate champions, and the town and parish councils to propose annual events at their local green spaces and community orchards as a way to celebrate and explore how we can work together towards the 2030 Net Zero target.”

The top five Council project areas to address climate change:

1. Energy in buildings. Since 2019 the Council has invested over £3million to save energy and decarbonise Council assets, with renewable energy projects at Crediton and Tiverton leisure centres, LED lighting retrofit on outdoor pitches, and responsive LED lighting in all its buildings. Energy efficiency gains have also been achieved e.g. Mid Devon’s 3 leisure centres reduced their electricity use by up to 21% when comparing financial years 2018-2019 and 2022-2023.
   
   
2. Emissions from household waste. Bin-it-1-2-3 collections launched in 2022 enable Mid Devon's communities to cut greenhouse gas emissions by hitting even higher recycling rates. Aiming to save 3,600 tonnes of CO₂ (tCO₂e) annually.
   
   
3. Healthy Homes. Green Homes Grant phase 2 retrofits helped 149 improvements at low income homes to save 138 tonnes of CO₂ (tCO₂e) annually. Council home energy efficiency retrofits and solar panels have cut bills and emissions for tenants. Zed Pods are Mid Devon’s first Net-Zero-living social housing.
   
   
4. Climate Adaptation and Nature Based Solutions. Joining forces with farmers and communities on large-scale projects to help restore rivers and landscapes. Tree planting to boost nature, enhance public open spaces and capture carbon.
    
5. Nature and Health Benefits. Over 1,000 trees planted by volunteers last winter. Hosting community orchards to connect people with nature and sustainable food. Nature surveys, habitat management and outdoor engagement by community groups at Council land e.g. Sustainable Crediton at open spaces; Sustainable Tiverton at the Tiverton Community Orchard.

Visit the Sustainable Mid Devon website to share and discover what Mid Devon communities and the Council are doing to make Mid Devon cleaner and greener, or sign up to our email newsletter for the latest sustainability news.

A carbon plan for all 

The Devon Carbon Plan is the roadmap for how Devon will reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. The plan was democratically devised through years of public consultation and built on detailed assessments of Devon’s emissions.

What's in the picture?

A montage of climate action. Base – Uffculme community volunteers planting trees; top left to right – community recycling up 9% admired by Councillors Natasha Bradshaw and Josh Wright; leisure centre renewable energy systems; the Net Zero Visions mural devised by artists, communities and local group Sustainable Tiverton.