South Devon strategies
Local Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation means altering our behaviour, systems, and—in some cases—ways of life to protect our families, our economies, and the environment in which we live from the impacts of climate change. (WWF)
Resourcing the potential of South Devon to adapt with climate change
South Devon faces intensifying climate risks—flooding, drought, and ecosystem collapse—that demand urgent, coordinated action. Devolution is giving us an opportunity to look beyond existing political boundaries and imagine a more resilient future at the scale of the whole of South Devon. Working together means we can share ideas, data and resources plus identify collaborative projects and increase the impact of all our work.
To this end, we have completed a Learning Journey to seven+ locations to document regenerative practices, produced a short film showcasing local success stories and a discussion paper outlining pathways for policymakers (see below) and led workshops for individuals within organisations taking action on climate change and recovering nature in South Devon. The goal is to support adaptation projects and volunteer teams to tackle priorities like flood risk.
Now, with the support of South Hams District Council, BLC has formed a secretariat for Joined-up Action for Climate & Nature to carry this work forward through a core team and themed working groups. BLC is also laying the groundwork for a financing facility for the South Devon bioregion which would enable the work to be funded.
Climate change will impact every community in South Devon, as it will across the world. By anticipating these impacts and preparing our response now, we can choose how we want to move forward instead of only being forced into emergency action.
