£254,000 awarded to help 15 organisations cut carbon emissions through the Carbon Action Fund

East Devon District Council has awarded £254,000 in grants to 15 businesses and community organisations through its Carbon Action Fund, supporting projects to reduce carbon emissions and energy use.

The Carbon Action Fund is a decarbonisation grant scheme delivered through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme. UKSPF is central government funding provided to councils to boost local growth through investment in communities, businesses, and skills. 

Across the 15 funded projects, the Council estimates the improvements will reduce emissions by around 80 tonnes of carbon per year and save over £100,000 in energy bills. 

Since 2022, East Devon District Council has awarded £1.7 million worth of grants to 148 organisations under the UKSPF programme, which comes to an end in March 2026.  

This second round of the Carbon Action Fund has supported a range of projects designed to reduce carbon emissions. As well as environmental benefits, many projects are expected to help organisations lower their ongoing energy costs, improving resilience and enabling resources to be focused on core services and activities.  

Examples of projects being delivered

Funding has been awarded to a range of organisations to deliver practical changes to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Stovesonline Ltd received a £20,000 grant to install a solar PV array with battery storage at its Dunkeswell unit. Any surplus electricity generated will be exported, and 60% of the net income from that surplus will go to Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) to directly fund local energy advice and retrofit programmes. Sune Nightingale, Director, said:   

"We’re pleased to be taking forward this collaboration with ECOE to reduce our own emissions while also supporting the local community. The Carbon Action Fund (CAF) grant from EDDC has been key to unlocking the wider social benefits of the project, and we hope it will provide a model for other businesses looking to decarbonise and reinvest locally."   

Exmouth Community College (ECC) received a £25,000 grant to upgrade the floodlights on its pitches to LED. As Exmouth’s only floodlit, year-round astroturf pitches, the facilities are well used by local sports clubs and schools. Rich Marratt, People and Operations Manager at ECC, said:   

"We’re delighted to have received this vital funding, enabling us to take meaningful steps towards reducing our carbon footprint and demonstrating to students our commitment to sustainability. By installing new LED lighting we’ll reduce energy waste and light spill, while lowering running costs so we can keep pitch hire at a reasonable price for our local community."