Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT)

FAQs

  1. How can I reduce my carbon emissions & environmental impact?
  2. How can I estimate my carbon footprint?
  3. Which electricity suppliers offer genuinely green tariffs?
  4. What are the carbon emissions from Teignbridge at present and how might these be improved?
  5. Which Town and Parish Councils have declared a climate emergency?
  6. What community groups in the area are active in combating climate change?
  7. What national groups are active in combating climate change?
  8. How can I influence national climate policies?
  9. How can I get help and support from ACT in running a community meeting aimed at combatting climate change?
  10. How can I get support from ACT for our town or parish council in relation to the climate emergency?
  11. What can be recycled in Teignbridge?
  12. Where can I recycle Tetra Pak drinks cartons?
  13. How can I join ACT?

How can I reduce my carbon emissions & environmental impact?

The largest contributions to carbon emissions from most individuals and households arise from one of the following broad areas: transport, household heating and lighting, food, fashion and other purchases. These and other activities, such as reducing waste, recycling and even where you invest your money, will also effect how you impact on nature, ie ecology.

Help in how to reduce emissions and impacts in each of these areas can be found on the following sites:

How can I estimate my carbon footprint?

This is an excellent way to start to think more effectively about reducing your individual or household carbon emissions as it helps identify key areas in which we can all take action.

Exact measurement of individual carbon footprint is complex but you can get a useful approximate measure by using one of the following sites:

This is a good, straightforward calculator that helps with thinking about areas of possible improvement. These two represent more detailed calculators:

And this is a food only calculator:

If you want to do a personalised assessment of your energy related carbon footprint Teign Energy Communities have developed an e-pack which includes tools for measuring your building energy consumption.

Which electricity suppliers offer genuinely green tariffs?

According to a recent report in Which? magazine “some companies do buy directly from generators, or build wind or solar farms, but many don’t. And it can cost suppliers as little as £1.55 per year to say that your year’s electricity supply is renewable. Although many tariffs made renewable claims, just four companies told us that they own renewable generation (solar or wind farms, for example). Six others have parent companies which do.” Read More

What are the carbon emissions for Teignbridge at present and how might these be improved?

The government publishes greenhouse gas (GHG) emission statistics at local authority level in June roughly 18 months after the end of the year in question.

These statistics can be downloaded from data.gov.uk

The latest available figures are for 2017 when Teignbridge emitted a total of 772.7 kilotonnes CO2 equivalent. This includes:

Sourcekt CO2e
Negative emissions due to Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)-40.5
Road and Rail Transport417
Domestic energy use183.1
Industrial and Commercial energy use213.1

These figures do not include emissions due to goods bought in Teignbridge that are produced elsewhere, but does include emissions due to production in Teignbridge that is exported.

While emissions have fallen since 2005, most of this reduction has been achieved by improving emissions from electricity generation by reduced use of coal and increasing use of renewables. The following graph illustrates this.

Transport represents about 50% of energy related emissions and is probably the easiest area to achieve reductions by:

  • Encouraging walking or cycling and providing safe routes.
  • Encouraging the use of public transport, including frequent low cost bus and train services.
  • Reducing speed limits to reduce emissions.
  • Car free and emission control zones.

Friends of the Earth has summarised these statistics and suggests areas for improvement on its CLIMATE ACTION site.

Teignbridge District Council can already ensure that legal requirements are enforced for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs). For more see: What Teignbridge District Council can already do.

We have done detailed analysis of an extreme scenario where all domestic energy and transport is electrified with 100% zero carbon energy, which demonstrates that energy efficiency improvements are needed from all buildings and reduction in private transport is needed to achieve this. For further details see: Adjusting Energy for Zero Carbon.

Researchers at the Tyndall Centre at Manchester University have analysed the carbon budgets in the Paris Climate Change Agreement and have concluded that Teignbridge needs to reduce its emissions by 14.4% per year to meet its share of GHG emissions reduction. Further details of this research are here: What does the Paris Climate Change Agreement mean for Teignbridge.

Teignbridge is in the process of reviewing the local plan, here are our comments: ACT Comments on the Local Plan Review.

The transport group has proposed some policies.

The Energy and Built Environment Group has been busy coming up with some suggested policies.

Which town and parish Councils in Teignbridge have declared a climate emergency?

We have compiled an interactive map that shows which town and parish councils have declared a climate emergency or are discussing doing so, this can be viewed here.

What community groups in the area are active in combatting climate change?

Some of the groups listed above do not have a web site or facebook page. Contact details as far as we can determine can be found here.

Sustainable Bishop

We are a community group raising awareness of and organising local events relating to sustainability and combating climate change; Our Projects include Repair Cafe, Plastic Free, Bishop-Eco Bags, Parish Council Working Party and much  much more.

https://sustainablebishop.com/?fbclid=IwAR0wMFsXu9Dn_nyaEaBd0rLmAy45mU48Yt5XysqDjhemQ6qHTtef5dzna60

https://www.facebook.com/SustainableBishop/

Plastic Free Ashburton

A community page to provide support, updates and information for Ashburton becoming a plastic-free town

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlasticfreeAshburton/

Moreton Action Group for Sustainability (MAGS)

To gather and disseminate practical information, advice and guidance about what individuals are able to do on a local basis to reduce carbon emissions: To provide contacts and links to other organisations concerned with climate change and carbon reduction; To work with other organisations on practical issues in pursuit of the Groups aim; To lobby national, regional and local government on relevant “green” issues that affect Moretonhampstead – and elsewhere. To facilitate the purchase in bulk renewable energy and similar items; To undertake other activities agreed by the Group in pursuit of carbon reduction

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Moretonhampstead-Action-Group-for-Sustainability-MAGS-671324232905248/about/?ref=page_internal

MORETON ACTION ON PLASTIC (MAP)

A community group aimed at reducing single use plastics in Moretonhampstead.

DAWLISH AGAINST PLASTIC

We achieved Plastic Free Community Status from SAS in February 2019 for the Parish of Dawlish including Dawlish Warren, Holcombe and Cockwood.
We promote reducing plastic use and encourage more re-cycling of plastic waste to all residents in the area.

We are currently organising a Go Green Fest for 26th July 2020 in Dawlish alongside the Town Council and Sustainable Dawlish. We also organise monthly beach cleans. More info on our website – https://www.dawlishagainstplastic.org.uk/

PLaStic Free Bovey

We are working to reduce single-use plastics in Bovey Tracey. Established early 2018, we are now part of the Climate Emergency Bovey and Heathfield Group.

https://www.facebook.com/plasticfreebovey/

TEIGN ESTUARY TRANSITION

Celebrating the local community – towards sustainable living.

https://teigntransition.org.uk/

TRANSITION NEWTON ABBOT

TheTransition idea is fundamental to what we do.  TNA is part of the Transition Network and a global Transition Movement which aim to transform the way we live our lives, and how we interact with our environment and each other.  TNA is just one of the hundreds of initiatives across the world!
Some of the issues addressed by this movement include climate change and the environment; local and global economies; sustainable use of energy and renewable energy generation; and local food.

GREENER TEIGN

https://bridford.2day.uk/section/GreenerTeign

BOVEY CLIMATE ACTION

We are a community organisation which acts locally to reduce the effects of climate change on the people of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield.

http://www.boveyclimateaction.org.uk/dartmoor-circle.html

LAMBETH BRIDGE GANG

A group of us who lobbied Mel Stride on Lambeth Bridge in the Summer.

What national groups are active in combatting climate change?

How can I influence national climate policies?

How can I get help and support from ACT in running a community meeting aimed at combatting climate change?

Please see the Public Engagement group entry under topics.

How can I get support from ACT for our town or parish council in relation to the climate emergency?

Please see the Public Engagement group entry under topics.

What can be recycled in Teignbridge?

https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/bin-collections/what-goes-into-my-bins-and-boxes/

Teignbridge has a good record of recycling waste. Here is what happens to it:

https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/recycling/what-happens-to-my-waste/

Where can I recycle tetrapacks (drinks cartons) ?

Drinks cartons can be recycled at some Teignbridge recycling banks.

Ones that take cartons are at:

  • Teignmouth, Eastcliffe Car Park
  • Dawlish, Sandy Lane
  • Newton Abbot, B&Q
  • Trago Mills, Co-op car park

How can I join ACT?

You can join ACT by signing up here.