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Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority and Cabinet member for Climate change in Devon, said: “This is a real boost to Exmoor National Park Authority’s climate action plan and net zero commitments.
“Added to our switch to electric vehicles, and the existing solar panels and wind turbine at Pinkery, this will help us to continue to provide sustainable, inspirational, and wellbeing-orientated activities.”
The project has been funded by £115,211 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. It will deliver 605 tonnes of CO2 savings over its lifetime, which is more than 30 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Chairman Andrea Davis added: “I am so pleased that, with the help of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding to support our net-zero carbon commitment, we can continue the great work that happens at Pinkery, fostering a vital connection between our local landscape and generations now and into the future.”
Senior Energy and Carbon Analyst Nadim El Bakri at Salix Finance (pictured below) said: “Salix is delighted to support Exmoor National Park Authority and Pinkery Outdoor Learning Centre and join them in this journey of decarbonisation.
“This project has been inspirational because it looks not only at the carbon reduction, but at the wider environment and how the work impacts the whole community.
“The funding, as well as the support we offer at Salix, will mean that the park and the centre can become more eco-friendly, reduce carbon emissions and support the net zero agenda.”
The works, together with the addition to the centre’s electric vehicles, its on-site wind turbine, solar panels and increased battery provision to power equipment, will bring Exmoor National Park Authority ever closer to its Carbon Neutral Goals.
Notes for Editor:
About Salix Finance
Salix Finance is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). We help drive the transition to a low-carbon future by delivering and administering grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Education (DfE) and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. The schemes we manage finance energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects within public sector buildings in England, enabling the public sector to reduce carbon emissions in line with the UK Government’s commitment to become net zero by 2050.
In 2020 Salix launched the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which, as well as providing grant funding for energy efficiency projects, supported the creation of jobs during the pandemic. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and the associated Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) are now in their fourth phase of delivery. In 2023 Salix has taken on the role of delivery agent for Wave 2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) schemes.
What is the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme?
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.
The scheme supports the aim of reducing emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037, compared to a 2017 baseline, as set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy and the Net Zero Strategy in October 2021.
Pinkery Outdoor Learning Centre
The centre provides educational resources to schools and other organisations that are interested in nature conservation and outdoor learning. It provides students with the opportunity to experience the unique environmental and cultural heritage of the park learning about climate change and experiencing the reality of sustainable living at Pinkery. For more information, visit: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/learning/pinkery-centre
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