Low Carbon Devon Hero Image 1
 
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

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 exterior
Sustainability Hub
Sustainability Hub launch event
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.
Sustainability Hub mural
Net Zero Visions Mural
PVs being shown on Rolle Building
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

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.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) logo