Delivering a low carbon economy in Cornwall and the role of Higher Education?

1. Delivering a low carbon economy in Cornwall and the role of Higher Education? Alex Huke – Research and Knowledge Exchange Manager (ESI) Research and Knowledge Transfer Division

2. Research & knowledge transfer... ...as a tool for growth to improve competitiveness and growth • But equally it can and should be a channel to help deliver a truly low carbon economy – across all sectors • Helping to deliver a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive economy and community...

3. Agenda • What is a ‘low carbon’ economy – why and who? • A Cornwall context... • University of Exeter delivering impact in Cornwall...and beyond?

4. A low carbon economy? (or one that operates withinenvironmental limits) • Pathways to • delivery • The objective

5. Beyond resource efficiency? Source: Prosperity without growth: Tim Jackson (London, Earthscan 2009) • Resource efficiency can deliver a potential 18% carbon saving by 2050 – 9% likely lost through rebound(Source WRAP/SEI 2010) • Therefore – decoupling and new business/economic models are an imperative – BAU is not an option!

6. Targeting low carbon economy investment, intervention and decision making….? 1 = Truly low carbon economy ‘investment’: Specific Investments “an investment that over its ‘attributable’ life, considering both ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ impacts, delivers an actual reduction in the carbon intensity of any given activity or business (inc. CC adaptation activity sequestering carbon)” 1 2 = lower carbon economy ‘investment’: “an investment whereby the carbon intensity, considering both ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ impacts, is demonstrably less than what would have been achieved in the case of a BAU scenario” 2 3 = General development of envi/carbon literacy 3 “developing carbon and environmental sustainability within business – developing new business models, new business opportunities, developing the skills for change, overcoming risk and stimulating innovation”

7. A Cornwall context • A strong strategic partnership and alignment – Cornwall Council, Cornwall economic forum, Cornwall Development Company, other HE and FE institutions (CUC), Convergence Programme, public and private sector etc • Lisbon to Europe 2020

8. Cornwall Investment Activity and University of Exeter • Development of Tremough (Cornwall) Campus) – interdisciplinary environmental research expertise • Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) – integrated solutions & international research excellence in clean tech, natural environment and socio-economic change • European Centre for Environment and Human Health

9. Delivering impact? • Business engagement – diagnose opportunities and risk to environmental change • Collaborative research with and for business • Working with key sectors – Clusters • Commercialisation and spin out/in activity – linked to innovation centres • Training and engaging students in business • Cornwall as a laboratory

10. What’s happening on the ground? Creative Nature: Cloud Nine: MyCornwall.tv / Eden.tv: Nature Paint: Earth energy(?): Renewables:

11. Thank You a.r.huke@exeter.ac.uk