Torbay residents are invited to drop in events to find out more about the climate emergency and the support that is available to help with energy costs and how to reduce your carbon footprint and cut waste.

Information sessions have been arranged at libraries across the Bay throughout January and everyone is welcome to attend and find out more about the ways they can reduce energy bills, volunteer to be a Community Energy Champion, reduce waste, and how we can all work together to make Torbay carbon neutral.

Depending on the event, they will be attended by Torbay Council’s Climate Emergency Officer, SWISCo Recycling Support Coordinators and representatives from Exeter Community Energy (ECOE).

In December 2022 a consultation was launched on the Torbay Climate Emergency Action Plan and you can still have your say via the online survey here.

The Action Plan and survey is on behalf the Torbay Climate Partnership which aims to bring together communities, organisations and businesses from across Torbay to accelerate actions to tackle the climate emergency, build climate resilience and ensure Torbay thrives now and in the future. It follows a series of public events were held in spring and summer 2022 around these themes:

• decarbonising homes
• waste minimisation and food
• transport and mobility
• nature-based climate solutions
• A specific event for young people to get their views about climate change

There was also a separate survey for local businesses.

Leader of Torbay Council Steve Darling said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the survey so far and also the events that were held last year – your input is really important to help us agree the Torbay Climate Emergency Action Plan.

“These drop in events are another great opportunity to have your say on the Action Plan but also find out about what advice and support is available for energy costs, and avoiding food waste. We’d also love to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer Community Energy Champion.”

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said: “This is so important and affects all of us so I really do urge everyone to get involved – as a Council we are committed to tackling this issue but we know that to tackle climate change effectively requires everyone to take action. So please do come along to one of the local drop in sessions to find out more.”

Tara Bowers, Project Manager for Exeter Community Energy (one of the partners for the Torbay Climate Emergency Action Plan) said: “We are in a climate emergency and a cost of living crisis so we also need to do all we can to save energy and reduce our bills. So I’d strongly urge everyone in Torbay to get involved in the Torbay Climate Emergency Action Plan in whatever way you can, whether it’s taking part in the survey or popping along to one of the drop in sessions.”

Climate and energy information sessions

The Climate drop in sessions take place at the following venues on these dates and times:

Thursday 5 January, 9.30am to 11.30am: Churston Library - attended by Climate Emergency Officer and SWISCo's Recycling Support Coordinators

Friday 6 January, 10am to 12pm: Brixham Library -  attended by Exeter Community Energy representative and Climate Emergency Officer

Tuesday 10 January, 10am to 12pm: Paignton Library - attended by Exeter Community Energy representative and Climate Emergency Officer

Monday 16 January, 9.30am to 11.30am: Torquay Library - attended by Climate Emergency Officer, Exeter Community Energy representative and SWISCo's Recycling Support Coordinators

• These are the first events that have been confirmed so far. We are also working on confirming other events - please email engagement@torbay.gov.uk if you wanted to suggest any specific events you think we could attend.

More information

• Find out more about Torbay Climate Partnership here.
• You can find all the feedback from our Climate Conversation events earlier this year on our website including notes, presentations and audio clips here.
• Information on all our work to tackle climate change is on the website here
• Do you want to be a Community Energy Champion volunteer? Find out more here or you can email healthyhomes@ecoe.org.uk or call 0800 772 3617.
• You can find out more about Torbay Climate Action CIC here.