Energy Sense: We all use energy every minute of the day. Some things are essential like eating, breathing and moving! Most uses of energy can be modified to reduce consumption, reduce wasted energy and importantly create energy in a sustainable way.

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Energy: Buildings and Transport

Our houses could be more efficient with better insulation coupled with controlled ventilation giving more control over our usage. Our housing stock is one of the worst in Europe for leaky, badly insulated buildings. Government has recognised this and will provide, in many cases, grants to help cut energy waste, improve people’s comfort and save them money all at the same time. A well insulated property with solar panels and a heat pump will use very little precious energy with little of the pollution that fossil fuels emit. The earth is warming and the  need to reverse this is now a matter of urgency.

In this category, we aim to provide links to some of the organisations and projects who are there to advise and help the public in this important field. 

Check out our Resources for more information.

News

How can Councillors in South Hams Help Climate and Nature?

How can Councillors in South Hams Help Climate and Nature?

Sune Nightingale, Chair for Dittisham Parish Council and Energy Mentor for Sustainable South Hams gave a keynote presentation at the Symposium on practical ways that councillors can assist their local community groups and provide support for projects taking action for climate and nature.

October 25, 2024
Collaboration at the Climate and Nature Symposium

Collaboration at the Climate and Nature Symposium

The Climate and Nature Symposium for South Hams Councillors held in Totnes on 16th October, saw group leaders and councillors gather to find ways to collaborate for climate and nature.

October 23, 2024
Communicating Climate and Nature through Community Events

Communicating Climate and Nature through Community Events

Our last Changemakers meeting focused on how we communicate climate and nature change through community events.

September 26, 2024

Groups

Devon Energy Collective

Devon Energy Collective

Our aim is to take action to address the climate emergency and to deliver the Devon Carbon Plan by creating a Devon that runs entirely on green energy. We believe that, rather than buying power from outside the country, we can produce clean, locally owned energy here in Devon. This will significantly boost our local economy, retaining approximately £1.76 billion in our county and creating a local industry and jobs across the region.

Volunteers
CIC
Project Cost
Sustainable Dittisham (SusDit)

Sustainable Dittisham (SusDit)

Habitat Review in progress, which has mapped the land owned or managed by the Parish Council, made suggestions for changes to the maintenance schedule and made suggestions for habitat enhancements. This will not only enhance the biodiversity of the area, but should also represent a year-on-year saving to maintenance costs. SusDit are members of DCEN - Devon Community Energy Network

20-100
Volunteers
Parish Council working group
Project Cost
South Brent Community Energy Society

South Brent Community Energy Society

The Society was established to take forward a medium size wind turbine project for the benefit of the community - the V27 wind turbine was installed in 2013. A photovoltaic array has also been installed on the local Recreation Association building. Surplus from these operations go towards the South Brent Community Energy Fund, which has awarded grants totalling almost £76,000 to energy saving projects in and around South Brent.

20-100
Volunteers
Community Association
Project Cost

Projects

Support Households Experiencing Fuel Poverty

Support Households Experiencing Fuel Poverty

Sustainable Kingswear offers equipment, energy-saving and insulation advice

5-20
Volunteers
£5k - £50k
Project Cost
Calculate and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Calculate and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Providing tools to help people understand their own carbon footprint

20+
Volunteers
Project Cost
Connect Communities to Take Practical Carbon Saving Action

Connect Communities to Take Practical Carbon Saving Action

Transition Streets is an award-winning project that brings neighbours together

Volunteers
Project Cost