Humber Businesses key to UK Green Recovery

Humber Businesses hold the key to the UK Green Recovery – major green survey is launched to understand business readiness for race to net zero

Today sees the launch of a major business-to-business survey to discover how the Humber’s 30,000 small businesses are gearing up for the UK’s Green Recovery.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), designed by Aura and the University of Hull, seeks to understand how the region’s businesses are preparing to ‘build back better’ after the twin challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit and how they are innovating and working towards meeting the 2050 Net Zero targets set by the UK Government on all carbon emissions.

The results will feed into a significant study which will provide the region – through the Aura Innovation Centre and its partners in the survey (including KCOM, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council, business and experts from the University) - with a unique insight into how SMEs in the region are addressing the barriers and issues to meet Net Zero targets. It will highlight how companies are seizing opportunities to tackle and transform the way we do business and help ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of the green industrial revolution.

Peter Drucker, one of the world’s most influential business thinkers, said: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it”. As the country grapples with the issue of implementing Clean Growth¹, the Humber is seeking to meet this challenge head-on as 2021 begins. Obtaining primary research data directly from companies will help to show the way businesses need to be supported to lower carbon emissions and build a sustainable future.

The region’s SMEs are the backbone of the supply chain and this survey will help to understand how business is building green innovation into its products, services and processes; where the strengths lie and where additional support and help is needed. The survey is being delivered in partnership with Lampada Digital Solutions.

Dr David Richards, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Enterprise at the University of Hull, said: “I am delighted with the launch of the Future Net Zero Survey today – we launched Aura some four years ago to help build and strengthen the green credential of our region – through research and innovation – and it is working. The advent the world’s largest wind farm just off our coast, the prospect of our ports growing and contributing to the country’s manufacturing infrastructure in renewable energy, the potential of using our long history and expertise in the power, chemical and petrochemical industries and putting that knowledge to new uses such as Carbon Capture to become one of the ‘Super Places’ anticipated by the Government in their Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution launched in November last year, is an exciting prospect. This survey is a key part of setting out the Humber’s leading role in this vital transformation.”

Louise Smith, Director of Aura, said: “The findings from this study will help guide the region to deliver a better future for the next generation in a Net Zero world. The ERDF and Green Port legacy funding we received to build the Innovation Centre for the Humber is about bringing together businesses of all sizes to connect with the research power at the University of Hull and its partners to develop carbon-reducing ideas across all sectors through smart collaborations. This survey is an important step towards ensuring that we do that well and support the growth and prosperity of businesses in our region.

Bill Walker, Chair of Marketing Humber, welcomed news of the survey and encouraged local businesses to respond. He said: “I am a strong advocate for the Humber and the huge impact it can have nationally and internationally in the Clean Growth space. The Future Net Zero Survey is a welcome step forward to help the region act in concert and showcase what our brilliant SMEs are doing in delivering on the Net Zero targets. This survey can help underpin the region’s economic place marketing credentials by helping us to gain real insight into what we are already doing, what we still need to do and how we can continue to work collaboratively to attract more investment and more inclusive growth into the Humber region.”

“Beckie Hart, Yorkshire and Humber Director for the CBI, said: “We are delighted to see that Aura and the University are launching the Future Net Zero Survey today. The region has a unique role to play in helping the country’s progress to Net Zero emissions, and improving our understanding of how small businesses can help drive the transition will be key to this effort.”

“This survey will help us understand where we are and what needs to be done further to succeed.”

Further information, please contact:

Aura

Aura is a collaboration between major companies in the offshore wind and low carbon energy industry, leading academic institutions, and government and non-governmental organisations. It acts as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation to support the sector’s growth. The Aura partners’ vision is to create a world-leading renewable energy research, talent and innovation hub supporting the developing low carbon sector towards sustainability, establishing it as a vibrant industry in the Humber – the UK’s Energy Estuary, for the benefit of the region and the country.

Aura Innovation Centre 

The University of Hull’s new Aura Innovation Centre (AIC) is a community that supports businesses of all sizes, helping them to accelerate low-carbon projects, drive green innovation and deliver clean business growth. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Green Port Growth Programme and match-funded by from the University of Hull, the AIC opened its doors in January 2020.

By connecting businesses with university research power, public sector and local communities in one convenient place, we’re bringing the Humber together to shape the way in low-carbon innovation.

We help businesses to shape ideas into viable solutions that provide real value and opportunities, whilst cutting carbon emissions. The AIC will give you access to advanced facilities and equipment, specialist funding support and access to a network of extraordinary minds at the University of Hull.

Lampada Digital Solutions

Lampada Digital Solutions is a subsidiary of the University of Hull and was created to derive profits from leveraging and commercialising the Intellectual Property rights owned by the University. Its mission is to develop commercial enterprises and establish wider external business relationships, in addition to creating new opportunities for the research faculties within the University, Lampada also supports the student body employing them in full-time positions, apprenticeships and internships.

For Lampada Digital Services media enquiries, please contact: Andy Parkinson at andy.parkinson@lampada.co

¹UK Government - The Clean Growth Strategy, Leading the Way to a Low Carbon Future (Oct 2017)