A new report from Exeter University for Devon County Council has highlighted a number of opportunities and challenges faced by Devon in creating a low carbon economy.
The report, The Low Carbon Economy in the Context of the Devon Economy, was commissioned by the council as part of its Local Economic Assessment. It includes an examination of how Devon can meet the targets outlined in the coalition government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan (LCTP), which sets out emissions cuts for 2020.
The report indicates that large scale renewable energy will have an increasing role to play in Devon due its wealth of natural resources. The South West’s designation as a Low Carbon Economic Area for marine technology could bring opportunities for the port towns in North Devon and also for manufacturing firms to become component suppliers to the growing marine renewables sector.
One of Devon’s biggest challenges comes from transport emissions, which are more than 25 per cent greater proportionally within Devon when compared to the UK average, and agricultural emissions are proportionally double the UK average.
The report recommends tackling agricultural emissions through policies aimed at more efficient use of fertiliser, better management of livestock and manure, encouraging woodland creation, reducing landfill and uptake of anaerobic digestion.
The most significant national policy in the LCTP is associated with reducing emissions from existing domestic dwellings. The report estimates that this could support an additional 800 jobs and generate £500 million for Devon’s economy.
Pop over to the Devon County Council site to see a full copy of the report.
(image: Off-shore Wind Farm Turbine 
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