RECOMMENDATION:

That the Executive:

1. RECOMMENDS to Council to endorse the Devon Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan set out at Appendix A to this report; and

2. NOTES the climate change and biodiversity work programme.

1. Executive summary

1.1. On 25^th July South Hams District Council Declared a Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency and subsequently signed the Devon Climate Emergency Declaration.

1.2. As a result of the Devon Climate Declaration, a range of public, private and voluntary organisations from across Devon came together on 22nd May 2019 to form the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group.

1.3. The primary focus of the response group was to develop the Devon Carbon Plan, which focuses on climate mitigation, i.e. reducing carbon emissions to limit further warming. Climate Adaptation is another key strand to climate action, as part of the Devon Climate Declaration, The Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Impacts Group was formed, a partnership of strategic organisations, including local authorities, that is chaired by the Environment Agency - with the assistance of RSK, an engineering and environmental consultancy.

1.4. The Adaptation Strategy has been developed by the DCIoS Climate Impacts Group recognising that we need to understand the current and future risks of climate change for Devon and communities will have to adapt to a warmer world.

1.5. The DCIoS Climate Adaptation Strategy has now been published and will help to ensure that the region can make the changes needed to cope with the worst effects of climate change.

1.6. Furthermore, this report provides an update on Climate Change and Biodiversity related work that's underway currently, some of this work aligns with the new Council Plan Delivery Plan actions and some outside the scope of this. The aim is to bring forward a revised Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy and new Organisational Decarbonisation Plan

2. DCIoS Climate Adaptation Plan Background

2.1. The DCIoS Climate Impacts Group was formed following the Devon Climate Emergency Declaration. Its role was to lead on adaptation, members of the Climate Impacts Group are, the Met Office, University of Exeter, NHS Devon, Devon County Council, Environment Agency, South West Water, Devon and Cornwall Police, Public Health Devon, Devon Local Nature Partnership, Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum, Cornwall Council, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service.

2.2. The Climate Adaptation Plan was commissioned by the DCIoS Climate Impacts Group and was led by RSK Group. The Strategy aims to help communities and organisations across the Southwest better understand the risks their area might face in the future, as climate change increasingly affects the UK. It will also help them to adapt to these changes, thereby improving their resilience and community safety.

2.3. A public consultation was held on the draft version of the DCIoS Climate Adaptation Strategy from 9th May to 30th June 2023. Overall, there was clear support for the Strategy —eighty percent of respondents either “support the strategy” or “support some parts of the strategy but not others.” Only twenty percent selected “I don’t support the strategy.” Concerns about the resources to deliver the strategy, as well as monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and enforcement recurred in feedback given. A summary of the consultation can be found at appendix B.

3. DCIoS Climate Adaptation Plan Summary

3.1. The Adaptation Strategy sets out risks to the region from climate impacts, the conditions for everyone to act on adapting to climate change together, and priority actions for regional collaboration over the next five years.

3.2. The world has already experienced warming of around 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900). If global temperatures increase by 4°C by 2100, projections suggest sea level in the DCIoS region is highly likely to rise by between 0.24m and 0.38m by 2050 relative to the 1981 – 2000 average, putting coastal and low-lying communities at risk.

3.3. Furthermore, public water supplies will need more than 3.4 billion extra litres of water per day by 2050, impacting our rural economy as crop failures will become more frequent in response to droughts.

3.4. Other projected climate impacts include drier, hotter summers with more heatwaves; increased risk of extreme events like wildfires and storms; a shift in the growing seasons; and changes to pest and disease pressures as well as Cascading impacts: Interacting and cascading impacts can be triggered by multiple hazards that occur coincidentally or sequentially.

3.5. If the region does not plan to adapt to climate change, it will face impacts to the economy, tourism, public health, infrastructure, wildlife and more. Work by the Climate Change Committee indicates that the benefit-cost ratios of climate adaptation means that £1 spent on adaptation could deliver between £2 to £10 in net economic benefits.

3.6. The Adaptation Strategy has three sections:

· The Risk Register, which identifies regional climate impacts and their risks and opportunities.

· The Adaptation Plan, which sets out the conditions for everyone to act on adapting to climate change together.

· The Action Plan, which sets out the priority actions for regional collaboration over the next five years.

3.7. Priority short-term actions for local government and public institutions include building and developing resilience partnerships to ensure the co-ordination of arrangements for an emergency, developing a climate change public awareness campaign, and providing information to enable adaptation planning by businesses and householders. These are actions the Council can undertake.

3.8. In terms of monitoring and governance, the climate emergency response structures within the three geographical areas of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are accountable for ensuring the delivery of the Climate Adaptation Strategy. These are:

· The Devon Climate Emergency Response Group;

· The Cornwall Climate Change Board; and

· Isles of Scilly Emergency Planning;

3.9. Progress reports will be provided to these groups by the Climate Impacts Group on a quarterly basis. It will be the responsibility of the Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, and the Isles of Scilly Council representatives on the CIG (Climate Impacts Group) to ensure the quarterly reports are reported upwards to the relevant group. These can be circulated to members when they are signed off. The Council can feed in any actions being taken to the CIG or Devon Climate Emergency Response Group.

3.10. The Adaptation Plan is also a snapshot in time, The Adaptation Strategy will be reviewed every 5 years to provide a coherent update and progress report on actions being taken in the DCIoS region.

4. Endorsement and Impact upon the Council

4.1. The DCIoS Adaptation Plan is a high level, regional strategy, and plan. It does not propose to supersede existing democratic scrutiny processes, nor mandate action from partner authorities or impose additional resource demands. However, endorsing the adaptation plan will set a clear signal of intent and provide a blueprint for the Council to follow to ensure best efforts are made towards climate adaptation. Of relevance is an action contained within our audit, which recommended that the Council should consider how best to adapt to new scenarios brought about by climate change, at both an organisational level and a wider district/borough level.

4.2. In terms of the delivery of the action plan, whilst partner organisations are identified, applications for grant funding and working with government to identify additional funds will be necessary to deliver the enhanced and/or new adaptation projects as a result of the Action Plan. Current funding being provided to start work on climate adaptation projects include, devolution settlements, funding from responsible authorities to lead the preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies, UK Shared Prosperity, Natural Captial Programme and through a pilot to strengthen Local Resilience Forums.

4.3. Whilst many of the actions rely on regional level projects and collaboration, some of the adaptation work already underway by South Hams District Council include the regenerative farming work through UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund), work started by the Keep It Local symposium and urban tree planting around our towns.

4.4. Actions listed in appendix 6 of the strategy mostly revolve around work led by other partner agencies. Actions where Local Authorities are listed relate to work we already do or are responsible for, such as emergency command, control and co-ordination, emergency planning, partnerships, managing risk through procurement and building, communications, retrofit grants and planning functions.

4.5. This may change in the future, as the government confirmed in October 2023 that it is piloting climate adaptation reporting by local authorities under the Adaptation Reporting Power. Pilot reports will be due by the end of 2024. The guidance for reporting has been co-designed by Defra and a group of volunteer local authorities taking an agnostic approach to the local assets and services that should be considered in risk assessments and also what different local authorities have oversight and responsibility for.

4.6. In terms of developing Council actions and capturing these, it is proposed to identify adaptation actions through a revised Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Plan which is being developed but also through the Climate Adaptation work we have commissioned from the Bioregional Learning Centre.

5. Climate Change and Biodiversity Activity Update.

5.1. The Council Plan adopted on 15^th February sets out the Councils strategic commitments with regard to climate change and biodiversity in the form of four primary aims and associated actions within the year one delivery plan.

5.2. Alongside this there are numerous activities and projects that are currently underway, this often changes depending on new opportunities that arise. These are set out in Appendix C.

5.3. The next step is to to align the actions identified in the Council Plan, the existing Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy and the Devon Carbon Plan into a consolidated format. This will provide greater clarity on future activity and progress.

6. Implications

Implications	Relevant to proposals Y/N	Details and proposed measures to address
Legal/Governance	Y	Reporting on progress in delivering on our Plan for West Devon priorities is a key element of our Performance Management framework. It enables Councillors to consider the progress we are making and to probe officers to understand why particular actions may not be on track. The report also sets out the progress against agreed strategy budgets, the current strategic risk profile and key performance indicators.
Financial implications to include reference to value for money	Y	There are no financial implications as part of this report.
Risk	Y	This report sets out the current strategic risk profile of the Council (Appendix A)
Supporting Corporate Strategy	Y	This report provides an update on progress against the Natural Environment Corporate Strategy theme.
Climate Change - Carbon / Biodiversity Impact	Y	‘Natural Environment’ is a specific theme within A Plan for West Devon and there are specific deliverables that support our climate and biodiversity ambitions
Consultation & Engagement Strategy	Y	This report acts as a clear and easily understood progress updates in delivery against our corporate priorities. In addition to this report, each theme update to Overview and Scrutiny is published on our website for the public to easily navigate. https://westdevon.gov.uk/article/8241/A-Plan-forWest-Devon-2021
Comprehensive Impact Assessment Implications
Equality and Diversity		None as a direct implication of this report
Safeguarding		None as a direct implication of this report
Community Safety, Crime and Disorder		None as a direct implication of this report
Health, Safety and Wellbeing		None as a direct implication of this report
Other implications

Supporting Information

Appendices:

Appendix A – DCIoS Climate Adaptation Plan https://www.climateresilient-dcios.org.uk/view-adaptation-strategy/?cat_id=12122

Appendix B – DCIoS Climate Adaptation Plan Consultation https://www.climateresilient-dcios.org.uk/consultation-report-summary/

Appendix C – Summary table of Climate Change and Biodiversity work

Appendix C – Summary table of Climate Change and Biodiversity work

Task Name	Description and progress to date
Revised CC&B Strategies	Align DCP with new Council Plan delivery plan action with specialist input from the forthcoming Climate experts panel to be established by Cllr John McKay. To date a draft is being worked on to highlight relevant Devon Carbon Plan actions which can be used to focus discussion around theming and actions
Climate Bonds / Community Municipal Investments	Preliminary investigations underway to understand the benefits and possible application of raising finance for net zero through Climate Bonds The South West Net Zero Hub (SWNZH) has a Funding and Investment Manager works to provide the following services: - Project development support – early options appraisal, due diligence and procurement - Financial modelling – standard or bespoke financial models - Securing capital – support on capital sources and brokering The Hub can also offer green finance and investment project management support to local authorities to review the financial monitoring and control of both individual projects and portfolios and get them to a position where they are ready to secure private match capital. This service is subject to full business case, it includes provision of: - A methodology for reviewing and aligning existing financial systems and processes - Dedicated training and mentoring to embed these skills within the local authority Initial meetings with the SWNZH completed, internal review taking place
New Organisational Carbon Decarbonisation Plan	Our first organisational decarbonisation plan was produced in 2019, to date work scope has increase, as has our intelligence around our organisational footprint and pathways for change. The new Organisational Decarbonisation Plan is being drafted and will form discussions through the new internal Climate Change Board. The Plan will require updated Greenhouse Gas Accounts, the accounts for 21/22 have been completed and 22/23 will being shortly. To date, these have been delayed due to staff resourcing and working on ways to improve data outputs and calculations for council expenditure
South Devon National Landscape Management Plan (South Devon National Landscape action)	South Devon Natural Landscape team developing a new National Landscape Management Plan to incorporate the following at Defra's request: - Environmental Improvement Plan targets assigned to South Devon NL (embedded) - South Devon contribution to achieving 30 x 30 - Climate Adaptation Management Plan (embedded or linked to) in support of NAP3 - Climate mitigation actions (embedded) and linked to Devon Carbon Plan - Nature Recovery Plan (embedded) linked to Devon LNRS and its NRN - New targets arising from national level Outcomes Framework for England's Protected Landscapes
Dart Saltmarsh (South Devon National Landscape action)	Partnership project underway involving South Devon Estuaries Partnership, Environment Agency, Bioregional Learning Centre, Devon Wildlife Trust, Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority.
South Devon Farm Connectivity Group (South Devon National Landscape action)	Led by the South Devon National Landscape, with funding from the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, and supporting over 25 farmers and land managers with riparian interests in the Dart estuary and/or Devon hedge carbon and biodiversity. 3 years of funding and operation June 2023 to May 2026 providing one to many advice and support, and endorsement of Countryside Stewardship management options and capital items to achieve environmental outcomes prioritised in the South Devon 151 Countryside Stewardship Targeting Statement
Farming in Protected Landscapes (South Devon National Landscape action)	Advice, support and grant funding for farmers and land managers to carry out projects that: - support nature recovery; - mitigate the effects of climate change; - provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape; and - support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses For full information see https://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/farming-in-protected-landscape-programme-2021-2025/
Retrofit work	[AW1] We continue to administer, and support retrofit support schemes including Connected for warmth, ECO4 and Home Upgrade Grants.
Scope 3 Emissions	Investigating opportunities to commission a provider to run our spend data through AI to more accurately calculate the carbon intensity for each line of spend as opposed to a manual process which only looks at spend category.
PSDS Phase 4 - Leisure Centres	Looking forward to Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in Autumn 2024, capital funding available for heat decarbonisation. Follows public sector low carbon skills funding we obtained in 2023 to produce heat decarbonisation plans. Element of match funding will be required from Council. A separate report and will follow to cover this should we decide to apply for this funding
Support marine sector specialists engaging with businesses to help them transition	Successful e-transition marine workshop held in May 23. Second workshop planned for Spring 2024, potentially aligning with the arrival of the first trial e-boat in Salcombe and rapid charging facility through our Electric Seaway project, funded by Innovate UK. Comprehensive carbon footprint study of Salcombe Harbour that will include all marine craft owners with the Carbon Trust is due to begin very soon.
Climate Adaptation and Council Risk and Business Continuity	Our audit found that the Council should consider how best to adapt to new scenarios brought about by climate change, at both an organisational level and a wider district/borough level. The Devon Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Adaptation Strategy is the first part of this, to distil its findings and determine a course of action for the people of South Hams, the Bioregional Learning Centre have been commissioned to start this work. Learning Journeys are due to commence in June with exhibitions to take place in Autumn, the aim of the learning journeys is to bring Councillors, key staff and key agency representatives involved in risk and adaptation to learn about existing climate resilient projects and how to best scale these.
Keep it Local	Approximately 40 relevant local food producers, distributors, software specialists and marketeers attended the symposium at the invitation of SHDC held on 10 November 2023 The purpose of this event was to maximise technical/ practical input and experience into the Keep It Local concept and to maximise engagement and buy-in from key influencers. Suggestions borne out of that event were; - Invest in the creation of a shared vision - what would good look like? - Support creation of “super markets” - Consider the creation of a food and farming officer ( to cover both supply and demand) - Map what’s there (perhaps in collaboration with universities) - Collaborate to secure food procurement
Life on the Edge (Year 1 of 5) Landscape-scale nature recovery at the coast	Project underway and a blog and webpages are available here https://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/life-on-the-edge-blog/
Decarbonisation of Salcombe Water Taxi service	Awaiting arrival of electric boats (RIB and workboat) on demonstration loan as part of the ZENOW project. RIB may be delivered as early as Spring 24. This will allow the Salcombe Harbour team to test electric boats in real-world conditions (tidal, operational, weather) and gain additional operational and power data.
District Heating and Geothermal	Engaged with South West Net Zero Hub to seek support for a district wide District Heat/Geothermal study to identify opportunity areas to support bids to the Heat Networks fund and to support future planning policy. Early indications are that much of South Hams only has access to low grade heat recovery at this time.
Vessel Recycling Pilot	Supporting Creekside Boatyard near Dartmouth to carry out a trial disassembly of one or more boats as part of their commercial operations. Preferably will be <10m length sailboat with rigging intact. Activities are as follows; Timelapse video/interviews during and at end of the process. Weight and value record to be kept of recyclable materials (e.g., nuts and bolts) and non-recyclable materials (e.g., composite). Removal of non-recyclable waste. Carbon Footprint Analysis of the process, SHDC to do this work in house.
Decarbonisation of Lower Dart Ferry	Review of baseline operational and power requirements was carried out in December 2023, including a duty cycle review of one of the tugs (Hauley IV) plus a 3-month review of the Eco-Motus hydrogen catalyser kit (no significant carbon footprint or fuel usage reductions found at this point). Moving on to the next stage - we will commission three feasibility studies from external consultants (including at least one naval architect) to better understand all our retrofit options using current vessels: 1. Feasibility report for conversion of hydraulic lifts on one or more floats to electric power - 2. Feasibility report for installation of batteries on floats to power one of the tugs. 3. Feasibility report for installation of charging infrastructure. May be an opportunity to apply for through Launchpad R2 in June/July and potentially in Autumn 2024 Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition
The Electric Seaway	£3.2m of UK government funding to deliver critical marine charging infrastructure. Ten sites along the south coast of England are being plugged into the UK’s clean maritime revolution as part of a collaborative and Government-funded initiative. SHDC is delivery partner on this project, with network to include Salcombe and Dartmouth. Potential sites in Salcombe identified.
Solar Canopies	Solar Canopies investigations continuing, Dartmouth Park and Ride was the first site and have since concluded this would not be viable. Looking towards smaller sites on the Council estate where power can be used directly.
Carbon Literacy Training	Carbon Literacy Training continues, 28 members of staff trained so far, further sessions are being planned and intending to extend the invite to Councillors as well
23/24 FY GHG accounts	Not started – will commence in summer 2024
22/23 FY GHG accounts	Data collection and analysis in progress
21/22 FY GHG accounts	Completed
TRESOC @ Dart Marine Buildings Steamer Quay	Site meeting took place in early January, it was determined that if appropriate terms are reached with Tresoc, an agreement can entered, and PV installed on one of the buildings. Site investigations underway with PV installer at the moment. It may be tenants in the other buildings will see the benefits and wish to be involved in a similar scheme. TRESOC can navigate this in due course and have indicated they would be willing to do so.
LCWIP	Work still proceeding, but end date has been pushed into May 2024
E-bike Hubs	Options have been outlined and different avenues and delivery models have been explored, it is intended that a these will be presented to members in due course
Leisure Centre Solar Installations	Project on hold as Fusion are considering their current financial liabilities in the short term. A decision to go ahead and confirm future project funding arrangements will be looked at in early 2024.
Energy Audits	Decarbonisation survey commissioned for Follaton House, survey due to take place in March [AW2]
Fleet Change	Analysis of existing vehicle routing and usage using on board telemetrics has been completed, this will form the basis for a forward fleet plan replacement schedule. The council currently has 4 EV's and charging facilities are being provided with a rapid charger due to go online in February.
In House Charger Installs	Dartmouth Health Hub chargers went online late in 2023 and have been receiving use. Depots now have chargers with a new rapid charger now installed and due to go online in February
Thermal Imaging Camera Hire Service	Cameras have been used on 3 occasions so far, expecting to re promote in mid February

Report to:			Executive
Date:			7 March 2024
Title:			Climate Change Update & Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan
Portfolio Area:			Cllr John McKay Climate Change and Biodiversity
Wards Affected:			All
Urgent Decision:		N		Approval and clearance obtained:			Y
Date next steps can be taken: Any recommendations will be presented to the Full Council meeting to be held on 21 March 2024.
Author:	Adam Williams				Role:	Climate Change Specialist
Contact:	adam.williams@swdevon.gov.uk