We have joined the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group (DCERG) - a new Devon wide task force aimed at tackling the climate emergency - and is calling on local residents to get involved and tell us what you think.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has advised that carbon emissions must reduce globally by at least 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels. There is a chance we can avoid the worst effects of climate change by keeping warming below 1.5 degrees. To achieve this we must be carbon neutral (net-zero) by 2050 or earlier.

As a member of the DCERG – which is made up of Devon’s councils, emergency services and business groups - Torbay has endorsed the principles of the Devon Climate Declaration and a Net-Zero Task Force has been appointed by the DCERG to deliver the Devon Carbon Plan.

Councillor Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “We are pleased to be able to sign up along with our partners to The Carbon Plan, which will lay out in stark terms what every resident, organisation and business has to do to reduce emissions and safeguard the planet for the next generation.

“This Call for Evidence is open to everybody, and every submission will be reviewed by the Task Force, so please do submit your ideas to help us reduce our carbon footprint and protect the planet.”

A series of thematic hearings have been taking place in November and December across Devon.

A draft of the Devon Carbon Plan will be created through the following three-step process:

1. Task Force members and expert witnesses will discuss and review the evidence.
2. The Task Force will present options to a Citizen’s Assembly from January.
3. The deliberations of the Citizen’s Assembly will lead to the Draft Devon Carbon Plan, which is due for publication next spring, 2020.

Dr Phil Norrey, the Chairman of the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, said:

“The public submissions and the thematic hearings are the first stage in a process that will lead to a comprehensive carbon plan for Devon.

“Everyone in Devon has a stake in this process and I would like to thank the members of the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group and the Net-Zero Taskforce for their contributions and hard work.”

Tell us your ideas for cutting carbon emissions

Local residents can submit their evidence and ideas online at www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk.