Growing Devon’s Green Economy

The Devon section of the SW Coast Path is used by over 2 m people a year who spend over £130m Visitors to Dartmoor National Park contribute over £500m a year to the local economy Recreational activities in Lyme Bay generate around £1.6 m a year Woodfuel production from Devon's woods and hedges could grow by £4m between 2010 and 2020 Agriculture and food production account for 13% of Devon's economy (compared to 7.6% nationally) A few facts…

What we have done.. Worked with the HoTSW LEP to endorse the key economic role of the environment in the Strategic Economic Plan Commissioned research on the economic value of Devon, Somerset and Plymouth’s natural capital Helped organise a LEED toolkit workshop bringing environmental and economic sectors together to explore future opportunities and challenges Provided a baseline assessment of Devon’s natural assets – Devon State of the Env report and State of Nature Provided a case study from the SW of LNPs adding value to their LEP What we have done

What we are doing now What we are doing now… Working with the HoTSW (Devon, Plymouth and Somerset LNPs share representation on HoTSW Place Group, ESIF Committee, Rural Special Interest Group) Collating a pipeline of environmental projects that address SEP priorities Advising on environmental aspects of new projects Identifying win-wins for Devon’s economy and the environment especially around water, woodfuel, high quality food, tourism and green infrastructure

Some challenges… Bottom line - ensuring economic growth is environmentally sustainable Engaging the business community beyond LEPs Accessing funding from other sectors e.g. s106, sponsorship, local investment strategies? Creating incentives for a low carbon economy Promoting local examples of successful solutions