How should business react to carbon change? Yorkshire shows the way
Posted on 14 January 2010
But a new £50 million UK-based research centre will harness the research power of leading universities both to develop clean technologies and help in the reduction of carbon emissions. It is a joint initiative of Yorkshire Forward and the region’s universities.
The Centre for Low Carbon Futures is an international initiative which will draw on the huge research strengths of experts in leading universities
Professor Brian Cantor
The Centre for Low Carbon Futures (CLCF), which is officially launched in London today, will draw on the expertise of the world class researchers in the region as a focal point for understanding and demonstrating how business can evolve and adapt in a low-carbon world.
By conducting "translational" research into clean technologies, the Centre will be a conduit for the practical application of low carbon technologies, helping both to attract inward investment and enhance business growth and economic output. It will give the business community a clear direction to help them to increase investment, economic outputs and actual jobs in a low carbon world.
The official launch takes place at the Palace of Westminster and is hosted by the York MP Hugh Bayley. Guest speakers will be former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and the Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, Rosie Winterton.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has contributed £5.7m to the Centre, which is led by the Universities of Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York and draws on the strengths of all the region’s education institutions. It is developing an innovative way of translating research into business applications, adding value to regional and national economic development and will help in meeting regional targets to reduce Green House Gas emissions.
The Centre will provide the multi-disciplined approach needed to meet the challenges of a low-carbon society. It will use the combined research not only of the natural sciences, but also the social sciences, engineering and policy disciplines. By combining the power of the region's Universities with Yorkshire Forward and business, CLCF is well positioned to translate research for the benefit of business and communities.
Director Jon Price says "The Centre has a great opportunity to position itself at the forefront of developing practical measures to reduce carbon, on a regional, national and international level. This can be achieved through the practical application of product development from new low carbon technologies. It's a unique conduit for the region' academic and business communities to collaborate and deliver on clean technologies, providing a positive economic impact to the region."
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, adds:"The Centre for Low Carbon Futures will put our region at the forefront of low carbon technologies. It will allow Yorkshire and Humber’s businesses to address low carbon challenges and access cutting edge solutions which will help them exploit the opportunities arising from climate change. In turn this will help build a competitive, sustainable and carbon efficient regional economy”.
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York and Chair of the Centre's Interim Board, says: "The Centre for Low Carbon Futures is an international initiative which will draw on the huge research strengths of experts in leading universities. The universities of Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York also have longstanding relationships with global business and industry, and will be drivers not only of the knowledge economy but also the low carbon economy.”
Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber, adds: “This excellent initiative will help us meet the two key challenges facing the country and our Region, those of climate change and developing a sustainable economic future.
“Collaboration between Universities and businesses is one of this region’s great strengths. This new Centre will play a key role in helping us to continue to develop knowledge and technology to a world class level and ensure that our region is at the forefront of moves towards a low-carbon future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- CLCF’s Research Projects:
i. Towards a Low Carbon, Climate Resilient Economy
The Stern Review considered the costs and benefits of climate change on an international scale. This pilot project is assessing the impacts of climate change and low carbon policies on the region’s economy and on organisations within it.
ii. Balanced Green Supply Chain System
This pilot project maps the supply chain, revealing how material flows through it and, identifying carbon ‘hot spots’; by understanding where these are, supply chains can be remodelled to reduce carbon emissions.
iii. Developing Biorenewable and Biorefining Capacity
Research is currently being done to improve the use of plant materials as a feedstock to create fuels – or ‘biofuels’ – as an alternative to fossil fuels. This pilot project is examining the further development of plants to minimize waste and to improve the extraction of useful chemicals through the biorefining of the feedstock.
iv. Optimisation of Oxygen Linked with Exhaust Gas Recirculation
As more efficient ways of combustion are developed that use more oxygen, a consequence will be higher temperatures and heat exchange that existing technologies can’t cope with. This project looks for potential solutions to those challenges. In addition the increased carbon content of the exhaust gases means it can be captured more easily. This pilot project is seeking to develop more efficient systems for the capture and removal of carbon from exhausts. - More information on the Centre for Low Carbon Futures at www.lowcarbonfutures.org
- More information on Yorkshire Forward at www.yorkshire-forward.com/
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