Transition in Action, Totnes 2030, an Energy Descent Action Plan

Vision 2030

By 2030, Totnes and District has a robust localised economy linking local producers, traders, services providers and consumers. The traditional agricultural resources, seasonal products, tourism, IT, some manufacturing and local skills are the basis of the revitalised localised economy. The system is flexible, active and diverse, providing local markets with locally based goods and local people with a broad range of services and skilled employment.

Totnes Pound

Totnes Pound

The local economic currency is an interchangeable mix of Totnes Pounds, Sterling, LETS credits and bartering which local businesses trade through the Totnes Bank. 80% of money now stays within the local community. Investment in the Totnes Bank and Totnes Pound has enabled many projects for local benefit to be supported and these have returned a modest interest, which has been reinvested locally. Investment in people and social enterprises, enabling them to changes people’s lives and build community cohesion, has increased the social capital. Investment in education and skills for power down and the more localised community life has supported and prepared the community through difficult times.

Investment in local resources, primarily renewable energy systems (through the TRESOC share option), IT, waste recycling, farming systems and research has opened many new horizons and increased local capital. The majority of local businesses operate co-operatively through local trading networks and co-operatives in mutual support. Most are modest in size and trade primarily in local products and services with sales focused on local demand. Many have scaled down their enterprises and tuned into meeting local needs rather than extravagance or luxury goods which carry risk. They co-operate on local procurement, delivery and marketing of goods and products, sharing local public transport systems and stores. In-house energy auditing and trimming waste led to a general business environmental charter being adopted; this has helped guide other resilience measures.

Employment Opportunities for a Post-Peak Oil Totnes and District
Employment SectorIndustry TypeOpportunities for Economic Development
Food Production/Land UseOrganic FarmingFarm workers, research and innovation, value adding and processing, retail, Community Supported Agriculture initiatives
Textile ProductionFarming, processing, manufacturing
Organic Food ProductionTraining, freshwater aquaculture, organic gourmet mushroom production for food and medicines, intensive market gardening, food preservation
ForestryTimber for construction and a variety of uses, sawdust for mushroom cultivation, charcoal, wood gasification, coppice products, saps, tannin, bark mulch, education, training, food crops, fibre
Urban AgricultureCo-ordination, land access provision, edible landscaping consultancy, online tools for linking growers and consumers, large potential for commercial production, plant nurseries and propagation
GleaningApple harvesting and pressing, hedgerow drinks and other products, education
Agroforestry systemsDesign consultancy, planting and ongoing management, selling of wide range of produce, long term enhanced timber value, courses, publications, research
SchoolsEdible landscaping, teaching, Education for Sustainable Development, food growing training, apprenticeships, bespoke Transition training programmes
Manufacturing and ProcessingRecyclingSalvaging building materials, processing and reclaiming materials (bricks, timber etc), making insulation from waste paper, glass bottles into insulation
Sustainable IndustryRenewable energy technologies manufacturing and installing, technology systems,
RepairExtending the life of machinery, building for durability
FabricProcessing of locally produced fabric, hemp, flax etc, making a range of clothing for retail, and repairs
ScavengingMaterials reuse, refurbishing, resale to low-income families
ServicesHealthcareHolistic healthcare, research into effective herbal medicines, local herb growing and processing, training for doctors, apothecaries, nutritional advice
EnergyHome insulation advice, energy monitoring, energy efficient devices, investment co-ordinators, sale of energy to grid or decentralised energy systems, producing wood chip/pellets for boilers, Energy Resilience Analyses for businesses
Compost ManagementCollecting, Managing, Training, Distribution, Education, potential links to urban food production
Information TechnologyCreation of effective software systems for energy management, carbon foot printing and much more
Hospice services / bereavementHospice services, supporting families who keep relatives at home, green burials
Financial InvestmentCredit Unions, local currencies, mechanisms whereby people can invest with confidence into their community, Green Bonds, crowd funding
GovernmentCouncilsOpportunity to organise efforts throughout region, and parishes
ResearchersOpportunity to gather information from the many projects and enterprises underway.
Education and DesignEducatorsWide range of opportunities for supporting ‘The Great Reskilling’, developing Distance Learning programmes, training for professionals
Sustainable DesignersLandscape architects specialising in edible landscaping, zero carbon buildings
The ArtsArt projects documenting the Transition, installations, exhibitions, public art workshops, local recording studios, storytelling
Transition ConsultingWorking with businesses on energy audits, resilience plans, a range of future-proofing strategies
Personal / Group SupportCounsellingPersonal ‘Transition Counselling’, group support, community processes
Citizens AdviceDebt advice, housing advice, financial management skills, debt scheduling
Outplacement/Redundancy SupportSupport, retraining, ongoing support and training
MediaPrint mediaLocal newspapers, small print run books on different aspects of the Transition
InternetOnline retailing systems for local markets
Film mediaOnline TV channels documenting inspiring examples of Transition in Action
ConstructionReskillingRetraining builders to use local materials and green building techniques, improving awareness around energy efficiency in building, setting up local construction companies, rainwater harvesting systems, design and installation
MaterialsCreating local natural building materials, clay plasters, timber, lime, straw, hemp etc. Growing, processing, distribution, retail etc. Locally made wallpaper.
ArchitectsSpecialists in passiv haus building, local materials, retrofit advice
TransportationLow energy vehicle fleetsMarketing, maintaining, renting, chauffeuring
BicyclesSelling, servicing, maintenance training, rental
RickshawsImporting, servicing, taxi service, weddings etc.
BiodieselSourcing, processing, selling, training and advice
Biomethane/Electric vehiclesFleet management, sales, leasing, car clubs

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