Organisations from across Devon, including a mix of councils, statutory bodies, emergency services, businesses, environmental organisations, and academic institutions, came together on 22nd May 2019 to form the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, to declare a climate and ecological emergency and to endorse the principles of the Devon Climate Declaration.

This recognises an awareness of the significant implications of climate change for Devon’s communities and commits the signatories to work together on developing a Devon Carbon Plan which will outline how Devon can reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by the IPCC guideline of 2050 at the latest.

The Devon Carbon Plan is being created by the Net Zero Task Force, which comprises twelve specialists from a range of backgrounds. The Task force members have expertise in topics relevant to carbon reduction and are drawn from economic, environmental, health and academic organisations, and is chaired by a leading climate expert.  Transport expertise is being represented by Nik Bowyer, Chair of the CIHT’s South West region.

The Task Force are currently in the evidence gathering stage of creating the Carbon Plan where they have facilitated a series of thematic hearings which gathered ideas from expert witnesses. The hearings covered themes including: Food, Land & Sea; The Built Environment; Mobility; Energy & Waste and a summary hearing which covered cross-cutting issues that had been identified in the previous hearings including spatial planning, behaviour change and procurement /consumption.

Evidence gathering also includes an online call to for evidence where everyone is invited to submit their ideas, which comes to an end on the 31 January.

The planning for Phase 2 is currently underway with the Task Force collating evidence from the thematic hearings, call for evidence and a report, provided by the University of Exeter, which summarises the current greenhouse gas emissions of Devon. These ideas will then be presented at a Citizen’s Assembly which will enable views of the general public to play an important role in the production of the Devon Carbon Plan. The assembly will have the opportunity to develop informed opinions and collectively discuss and review policy recommendations on decarbonising Devon.

The final phase involves drafting the carbon plan for public consultation.  The Task Force is using its specialist knowledge and experience to create this plan, including consideration of the earliest credible date that should be set for net-zero emissions. As a transport planner, Nik will be providing his expertise and helping to come up with credible plans to the biggest issue affecting our planet.

Nik says, “I’m delighted to be involved with the Devon Net-Zero Task Force, working with the eleven other specialists to help develop credible solutions to ensure a Net-Zero future for the County.  It’s especially pleasing as a CIHT member to have been asked to take part in this vital process as it demonstrates the high-esteem in which the CIHT is held both within and outside the transport profession.  That we have been asked to lend our knowledge and skills to support Devon is a reflection on all members of the institution.  Responding to the Climate Emergency will be the greatest challenge facing the transportation sector over the next ten years; CIHT has recognised this through its recent ‘Climate Change Pledge’ and it is great to see Devon taking a proactive approach to responding to its declaration of a climate emergency”.