University of Manchester and the GM Green Summit 2020

The University was proud to co-sponsor the third Greater Manchester Green Summit with The Henry Royce Institute, held for the first time as a virtual event between 21 – 24 Sept. The Summit centres on how Greater Manchester can collectively reduce its carbon emissions to meet net zero by 2038 and deliver on the region’s 5-year  environment plan.

The University’s part in the new Energy Innovation Agency (EIA) was announced on the final day of the event. This initiative is a collaboration between the three Greater Manchester universities, local government and industry with the aim of kick-starting a decade of clean energy innovation to meet the region’s 2038 carbon neutral target.

The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Salford will apply their energy and environmental research expertise working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and SSE Enterprise to ensure Manchester continues to lead on ambitious regional environmental innovation and action.

Professor Colette Fagan, the University’s Vice-President for Research, said: “Linking the decarbonisation agenda to economic growth through innovation is key to achieving net zero carbon. Bringing together Greater Manchester’s environmental research expertise in this new agency with the encouragement of GMCA is a significant and exciting step toward achieving a greener future.”

The vision for the Energy Innovation Agency is to lead the transition to zero carbon society and economy by bridging the innovation gap, leading to an acceleration of emissions reductions, increased implementation of technological innovations and enhanced, forward-thinking policy agenda setting.

University of Manchester speakers at the Green Summit included Professor Brian Cox, in conversation with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burham and Greater Manchester  Youth Combined Authority, James Baker from Graphene@Manchester, Professor Michael Shaver from The Royce Institute, Professor James Evans from Manchester Urban Institute and Dr Helen Holmes and Mariel Vilella from the Sustainable Consumption Institute.

Topics covered included microplastics in rivers, the impact of food on climate change, sustainable construction, a circular plastics economy and the journey to a green recovery in Greater Manchester.

Find out more: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/new-university-led-energy-agency-to-turn-greater-manchester-green/