People in Exeter encouraged to explore green spaces by train – BBC

Report on the Exeter Green Circle Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

• A campaign, titled the Green Circle project, has been launched in Exeter to promote the use of the railway network for accessing the city’s green spaces.
• The initiative is part of the Railway 200 celebrations, marking the bicentennial of the modern railway.
• Its primary objective is to raise awareness of how specific train stations can serve as sustainable gateways to Exeter’s parklands, thereby contributing to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The project directly supports SDG 11 by promoting sustainable transport options. It encourages a modal shift from private vehicles to public rail, reducing congestion and emissions.
   • It enhances access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public green spaces for residents and visitors, a key target of this goal.
   • The initiative leverages Exeter’s unique urban infrastructure, which includes ten railway stations within the city boundary, more per capita than any other UK city.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • By encouraging active travel, such as walking and strolling from train stations into natural environments, the project promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
   • Access to diverse green spaces, including “woods, to valleys, to rivers,” supports mental well-being for all ages.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The campaign contributes to climate action by advocating for lower-carbon transportation. Rail travel is a more energy-efficient alternative to individual car journeys.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The initiative fosters a greater appreciation for urban ecosystems and biodiversity by connecting people with the city’s natural landscapes.
   • The involvement of the Devon Wildlife Trust ensures that the project aligns with principles of protecting and promoting local terrestrial ecosystems.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The Green Circle project is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership, bringing together public and private sector entities to achieve common sustainability objectives.

Stakeholder Involvement and Perspectives

• Exeter City Council: Councillor Ruth Williams, responsible for city management, stated the project provides an “opportunity for all Exeter residents and visitors to enjoy the wonderful green spaces which surround the city.”
• Great Western Railway (GWR): Regional Development Manager David Whiteway confirmed that the project was supported through GWR’s community fund. He noted its success was due to its aim of “improving access for people walking, and cycling to their stations.”
• Collaborative Partners: The project represents a robust partnership between Great Western Railway, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, and Exeter City Council, demonstrating a collective commitment to sustainable urban development.

Implementation and Key Gateways

• The project identifies several railway stations as primary “green gateways” for accessing the city’s parkland spaces. These include:
• Exeter St Davids
• Marsh Barton
• Polsloe Bridge

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article’s central theme is the “Green Circle” project in Exeter, which aims to connect urban residents and visitors with the city’s green spaces using public transportation. This directly relates to making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by improving access to public transport and green areas.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The project encourages physical activity by promoting walking and strolling. As Councillor Williams hopes, people will “hop off a train, and then go for a walk or a stroll.” Access to green spaces and engaging in physical activity are crucial for both physical and mental well-being.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly states that the project is a collaborative effort. It mentions, “The partnership for the project involves Great Western Railway, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter and Exeter City Council.” This multi-stakeholder partnership is a core component of achieving the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The project encourages the use of trains as “green gateways” and was funded because it “provides a brilliant way for improving access for people walking, and cycling to their stations,” directly aligning with the goal of expanding and improving access to sustainable public transport.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The entire campaign is designed to “encourage people to explore a city’s green spaces” and give residents and visitors the opportunity “to enjoy the wonderful green spaces which surround the city,” including “woods, to valleys, to rivers.”

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The project’s emphasis on encouraging people to “go for a walk or a stroll” in natural environments like “woods” and “rivers” directly supports the promotion of physical activity, a key factor in preventing non-communicable diseases and improving overall well-being.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article clearly identifies a multi-stakeholder partnership involving a private company (Great Western Railway), a civil society organization (Devon Wildlife Trust), and public bodies (Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, University of Exeter) working together on the Green Circle project.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not mention official SDG indicators, it implies several ways progress could be measured:

• For Target 11.2 (Sustainable Transport):
  • An implied indicator is the number of people using the specified train stations (Exeter St Davids, Marsh Barton, Polsloe Bridge) to access the Green Circle.
  • Another is the increase in the number of people walking and cycling to these stations, as the project aims to improve this access.
• For Target 11.7 (Access to Green Spaces):
  • A key indicator would be the number of residents and visitors who explore and use the city’s parkland spaces via the Green Circle project.
  • Progress could also be measured by tracking the level of public awareness of the project, as a stated aim is to “raise awareness.”
• For Target 3.4 (Health and Well-being):
  • An indicator could be the number of people participating in walking or strolling activities within the Green Circle, reflecting an increase in physical activity among the population.
• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  • The existence and continued operation of the five-member partnership is a direct indicator of success.
  • The financial investment from partners, such as the money provided by Great Western Railway’s “community fund,” serves as a tangible indicator of the partnership’s resourcing and effectiveness.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com