Scoping Devon’s Green Economy

1. Scoping Devon’s Green Economy Nigel Tremlett 20th April 2012

2. To obtain a strategic overview of Devon’s Green Economy To help inform the development of a Devon LNP To assess the challenges, opportunities and priorities for future joint working between a LNP and the LEP To scope out and assemble baseline data on the Green Economy To clarify the role of the Natural Environment To collect views on a Devon LNP Aims of study

3. United Nation’s definition: “Improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” International Chamber of Commerce definition: “An economy in which economic growth and environmental sustainability work together in a mutually reinforcing fashion while supporting progress on social development” Global Citizen’s Centre definition: “A triple bottom line economy concerned with being environmentally sustainable, socially just and locally rooted” What is a Green Economy?

4. UK Government 2011: “A green economy is not a sub-set of the economy at large – our whole economy needs to be green. A green economy will maximise value and growth across the whole economy, while managing natural assets sustainably. Our vision is that our green economy will: Grow sustainably and for the long term Use natural resources efficiently Be more resilient Exploit comparative advantages” What is a Green Economy?

5. Sector Definition

6. Devon’s Green Economy

7. Environmental Technologies

8. Numerous difficulties: Some sectors “greener” than others Uses economic, quantitative measures Ignores much wider benefits , such as social & health impacts  Also benefits: Allows progress to be measured  Is easily promoted and highlighted Uses language of business (jobs, GVA, etc) Points about Sector Definition

9. The Role of Natural Assets in creating economic benefits

10. Many further economic benefits of high quality environment: Improves economic competitiveness Generates inward investment Attracts labour supply Evidence that it increases labour productivity House prices – proximity effects Improves economic security Climate change mitigation Reduces flood risk and other “natural” hazards Reduces “downstream” cost of clean-up Reduces urban heat island effect Additional economic benefits

11. “The MEBIE is focused on green infrastructure interventions … with benefits presented in terms of major economic themes and ecosystems services” “The review can demonstrate the weight of evidence around a particular benefit……it cannot provide a formula which allows the production of values which relate to particular project…”

12. Main opportunities identified: Develop “Make it Local” (build/source/buy local) Key sector/sub-sector support: Environmental technologies/Low carbon/alternative fuels/RE Tourism: Eco-tourism, activity holidays, nature breaks Primary: Diversification of rural industries Further development of successful “green” projects Upstream thinking Teignbridge Green Infrastructure Network Ward foresters   Paid ecosystems services Green Economy Opportunities

13. Main threats/weaknesses identified: Fragmentation/silo mentality/lack of cluster Number of micros and SMEs with less time to go “green”   Lack of political support/changing policy Skills issues in green sectors  Poor understanding/awareness of value (and fragility) of NE Continued impact of recession pushing green agenda down Access to finance/lack of external investment Green Economy Threats

14. Key discussion points for workshop: How should we define the Green Economy? What are the priorities for developing Devon’s Green Economy? How do we mitigate the weaknesses and threats to Devon’s Green Economy? Devon’s Green Economy

15. The social and health benefits of Devon’s natural capital assets How we can better “repay” the environment for the impact of our activities, economic and otherwise The Role of the Natural Environment

16. 1 Marine Nature Reserve (Lundy) 1 Ramsar Site (Exe Estuary) 1 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (North Devon Biosphere) 2 World Heritage Sites (Jurassic Coast + West Devon Mining) 2 National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) 3 Special Protection Areas (SPA) 4 Areas of Special Protection for Birds (AOSP) 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) 9 National Nature Reserves (NNR) 20 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) 50 Non-Statutory Nature Reserves 217 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (9% of Devon) 251 Key species of wildlife c.2,000 County Wildlife Sites (CWS) Devon’s Natural Environment

17. Report produced last month assessing Sites of Special Scientific Interest and County Wildlife Sites. Key points were: 60% of SSIs still require significant management to take place before the site can be regarded as fully in the favourable category; and 50-60% of County Wildlife Sites still need significant management work to be continued if the site is to be fully in the correct condition Some issues: Woodlands: non native species and improving structural diversity Coastal: Sea cliffs/stabilisation and dunes/inappropriate management Upland Bog: 83% SSSI is in Unfavourable Recovering condition Grassland/heathlands: lack of grazing and scrub encroachment Rivers: siltation and water pollution State of Devon’s Nature

18. Social and Health Benefits of Devon’s Natural Assets

19. Evidence for Social and Health Benefits of Natural Assets • Green space = positive health outcomes • Exposure to Natural Environments has strong psychological benefits • New or better green infrastructure increases physical activity levels • Increased community cohesion reduces crime levels and improves educational outcomes

20. National Trust: “Nature Deficit Disorder” A lack of engagement with nature is resulting in our children: • Being obese; • Having mental health problems; and • Being unable to assess risks.

21. Our well being …

22. Being happy yesterday

23. Likelihood of being anxious …

24. UN discusses happiness, wellbeing and a “new economy” • Discussion focused on attempting to realise the vision of an economic policy that embraces wellbeing, sustainability and environmental priorities. An independent task force was established to develop the details of the new economic framework, which will be presented at the Rio+20 summit later this year

25. Cultural change Changing our attitudes towards “valuing” nature by better demonstrating the cost to the environment of our activities Greater transparency over what it costs to maintain environment and what the benefits are (taken for granted at moment) Promotion of collective benefits of the environment across all groups in society (especially in business, health, education sectors) Charging/payback schemes Using visitor/residents payback schemes Using business carrot and stick schemes Using localism agenda (local taxes, etc) Trading the benefits with business, society et al

26. Main suggestions: Much greater focus/support for “Make it Local” campaign Bring together relevant players in “blended package” of aims Environmental entrepreneurs fund/Green Investment Bank Paid ecosystems approach Business awareness campaign Schemes that reap both environmental and business benefits (such as Devon wide carbon offsetting/foot-printing scheme) Realigning resources and growing business opportunities

27. Main suggestions: Triple bottom line/balanced score card approach Creation of a better “Green” USP to change perceptions Collaborative approach to addressing the matter Getting “whole life” costs/benefits brought into accounting Working with LEP/business groups Getting “Green agenda” on local strategies, planning documents, etc An economy that better reflects the value of natural capital

28. Key discussion points: How can we better trade the economic and social benefits of the natural environment with business, civil society and the public sector? How can we realign resources and grow business opportunities to pay for a healthy natural environment? How can we develop an economy which better reflects the real value of natural capital and services and that places natural capital at the heart of Devon’s accounting? The Role of the Natural Environment