Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon

A project supporting Devon enterprises to shift to a low-carbon economy
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

  • @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 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

Soap dishes, pots and buttons made from recycled plastic.
Precious Plastic Plymouth and Tavistock case study
Green Maker Initiative map
Green Maker Initiative case study
Bell & Loxton's branded cold pressed rapeseed oil bottles in a field of yello rapeseed flower.
Bell and Loxton case study
Sunset Offshore Wind Turbine in a Wind farm under construction of England coast, UK. Image courtesy of Getty Images.  
Hydrostar case study
Resilient Coasts  Mangrove density to improve understanding of buffer zone effectiveness to coastal hazards (produced under E04SD project with NOC UK, 2020)
Resilient Coasts case study
Trimplants
Trimplants case study
School building photo by  Azzedine Rouichi 
Totus Engineering Limited case study
Fishing boat returning to port passing a red lighthouse and surrounded by gulls - Getty 115815512
Ecomotus case study
Climate Change (re)considered collage
Grow Plymouth case study
Exterior shot of the reception building at Plymouth Science Park. 
Plymouth Science Park case study
SageTech Medical Case Study
SageTech Medical case study
Prestige Packaging 
Prestige Packaging case study
Sustainability Hub - green wall for research
Western GeoBuild case study

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