Climate Change action – Where there’s a Will, there’s a way…

(Last Updated On: March 10, 2020)

Teignbridge’s first Climate Change Officer, William Elliott, has taken up a key role in supporting the district council achieve reductions in the environmental impact of its own operations and working on low-carbon policies across the community.

William is initially focusing his efforts on assisting Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to identify the most eco-friendly gas and electricity contract renewal and to quantify and reduce its own in-house carbon emissions.

This means assessing the carbon footprint of all TDC’s operations and assets and seeking ways to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible, as soon as possible.

Welcoming William to Teignbridge, Cllr Jackie Hook, TDC’s Climate Change Champion, said: “Doing our bit to reduce our impact on the environment is a matter for all of us as individuals, businesses and organisations.

“There is much to do in the district as a whole; we need to ensure we have our own house in order, alongside shining a light on how others can help us reach our carbon reduction target.

“This appointment sets down a marker that Teignbridge means business when it comes to tackling Climate Change. Much of the early work will be internal, but William will also be looking at areas where carbon reduction targets can be raised and also working with colleagues at County Hall to support the Devon Climate Emergency programme”.

Based within Teignbridge’s Environmental Health team, William will work with managers and staff across the council and will also engage with climate task force groups, local authorities, the University of Exeter and Devon County Council. Part of his remit will be assessing the carbon impact of planning applications”.

William graduated from the University of Exeter in 2015 with an undergraduate Masters degree in Renewable Energy. Since graduating, he has worked as an energy consultant and has gained experience developing commercial low-carbon energy strategies and conducting carbon footprint assessments for small to large businesses.