Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon
A project supporting Devon enterprises to shift to a low-carbon economy
The Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon project (Low Carbon Devon) was a successful and impactful project which supported Devon enterprises to shift to a low carbon economy through accessing research, business support, events, workshops and internships at the University of Plymouth. Supported by an investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the £2.6m project, took place from 2018-2023, and had four areas of complimentary activity, shown in our summative assessment and highlighted below.
Key Quantitative Achievements
-
@4,500+ attendees for the 90+ events held
-
@250+ small-medium sized enterprises reached
-
@73 companies received 12+ hrs support
-
@58 research collaborations received 40+ hr support
-
@43 students/graduates worked in Devon SMEs
-
@25 academics across the University collaborated with Devon SMEs
-
@15 new to firm low carbon products/services under development
-
@5 research papers published to date
-
@2 evidence summaries for policy makers
-
@1 SKA Gold refurbished building
Sustainability Hub
Low Carbon Devon refurbished an old University building and turned it into a SKA Gold rated space, called the Sustainability Hub. The Sustainability Hub is still in operation after the project, it provides a physical, collaborative space where businesses, social enterprises and community groups can mix with researchers and students around the issue of sustainability.
For further information on how you can use the building, visit the Sustainability Hub webpage.
Sustainability Hub
Knowledge Exchange
Working with Enterprises (Knowledge Exchange)
Low Carbon Devon supported enterprises with the Low Carbon agenda through events and a student internship programme called Future Shift. Some key achievements include:
- Over 90 events held
- Over 4,600 attendees
- 43 students / graduates placed in Devon enterprises
For further information, see our Future Shift page.
To view our recorded events, see our events page.
Working with Enterprises (Research and Innovation)
Low Carbon Devon provided post-doctoral research support to Devon enterprises in the following areas: Green wall sector, Power electronics, Creative Industry sector and Energy Efficiency in Buildings (Occupant Behaviour). The project also provided post-doctoral support in other academic areas of expertise through the Devon Net Zero Innovation Fund. Some key achievements include:
- 250+ companies reached
- 70+ companies directly supported with 12 hr+ business support
- 58 research collaborations supported with 40 hr+ business support
- 15 new to firm low carbon products/services introduced (more on the way)
- 5 research papers published to date
For further information see our Research and Innovation page.
Net Zero Visions Mural
PVs on the Rolle Building
Carbon Reduction
Low Carbon Devon developed some significant carbon savings, contributing to the Universities Net-Zero Strategy. Some key highlights include:
- 1 refurbished Sustainability Hub
- 4 buildings refurbished with state of the art LED lighting, leading to a reduction in energy usage of 459,625 kWh/annum
- A reduction of 148.7 tCO2e in greenhouse gas emissions
- Photovoltaic solar cells fitted on two buildings, leading to 25,027 kWh/annum energy production from PVs.
Further information is available on our
Carbon Reduction
page.
Collaboration Case Studies
What's Next...
The team have some exciting news moving forward so watch this space….
In the meantime, please feel free to contact us to find out how you can tap into our academic and student expertise or hire the Sustainability Hub.
You can email sustainabilityhub@plymouth.ac.uk
Or follow us on social media:
Our team
-
![Professor Will Blake Professor of Catchment Science]( "Professor Will Blake")
Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute
-
![Dr Paul Lunt Associate Professor in Environmental Science]( "Dr Paul Lunt")
Dr Paul Lunt
Associate Professor in Environmental Science
Director and Academic Lead, Green Wall Co-Lead
-
![Dr Paul Hardman Director - Net-Zero Exchange]( "Dr Paul Hardman")
Dr Paul Hardman
Director - Net-Zero Exchange
Deputy Director
-
![Claire Pearce Business Development and Partnership Manager - Net-Zero Exchange]( "Claire Pearce")
Claire Pearce
Business Development and Partnership Manager - Net-Zero Exchange
-
![Mr Christopher Woodfield Visiting Specialist]( "Mr Christopher Woodfield")
Mr Christopher Woodfield
Visiting Specialist
-
![Mrs Becky Barnes Quality and Faculty Registry Administrator]( "Mrs Becky Barnes")
Mrs Becky Barnes
Quality and Faculty Registry Administrator
-
![Dr Thomas Murphy Lecturer in Environmental Sciences]( "Dr Thomas Murphy")
Dr Thomas Murphy
Lecturer in Environmental Sciences
-
![Rosie Mascall Communications and Engagement Project Officer]( "Rosie Mascall")
Rosie Mascall
Communications and Engagement Project Officer
-
![Professor Steve Goodhew Professor of Environmental Building and Discipline Leader]( "Professor Steve Goodhew")
Professor Steve Goodhew
Professor of Environmental Building and Discipline Leader
Green Wall Co-Lead
-
![Dr Paul Warwick Education for Sustainability Lead (Good Growth)]( "Dr Paul Warwick")
Dr Paul Warwick
Education for Sustainability Lead (Good Growth)
Low Carbon Internship Lead
-
![Ms Polly Macpherson Associate Head of School]( "Ms Polly Macpherson")
Ms Polly Macpherson
Associate Head of School
Creative Industries Lead
-
![Professor David Sergeant Associate Head of School for Research]( "Professor David Sergeant")
Professor David Sergeant
Associate Head of School for Research
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The University of Plymouth is proud to be supported by the European Regional Development Fund. As one stream of funding under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014–2020, the ERDF focuses on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The main priorities involve contributions to research and innovation, supporting and promoting small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and the creation of a low carbon economy.
