Published: February 3, 2025 | Updated: 3rd February 2025
The Solent Cluster, a cross-sector collaboration focused on cutting emissions, will next week launch a report exploring routes for decarbonising the Solent region.
The culmination of over a year’s work between industry and academia, the project explored key barriers and opportunities, modelled business actions and examined public perceptions surrounding industrial decarbonisation.
It was funded through the government’s local Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) competition, run in partnership with Innovate UK and complemented with funding from the project partners.
Stuart Baker, executive director of The Solent Cluster, said: “The LIDP Transitioning Pathways report is a crucial step examining how a lower carbon industrial future for the Solent region might be achieved.
“It reflects a year of dedicated collaboration between industry and academia, identifying practical solutions and key challenges that must be overcome.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our findings at this event, which will be a valuable opportunity to engage with the sector, share insights and collectively work towards our shared ambitions.”
The launch, scheduled for Tuesday 11 February at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, will bring together local, national and international bodies to discuss findings, ask questions of the project partners and explore the next steps.
Will Lochhead, deputy director, industrial carbon capture and hydrogen business models at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is set to deliver a keynote introduction, followed by a panel discussion on the report.
There’ll also be a virtual address from Jörgen Sandström, head of the Transforming Industrial Ecosystem Program at the World Economic Forum, and insights from Mark Sommerfield, UK director for the Carbon Capture and Storage Association.
The event is free to attend for members of The Solent Cluster.