Net-Zero Solutions Fund

Funding of up to £7,500 for an enterprise and researcher to collaborate (call now closed)
Mike Corran, Managing Director of Prestige Packaging, with Dr Antony Robotham (Credit: Jude Palmer/Royal Academy of Engineering)
Funding from the Net-Zero Exchange project has enabled enterprises and researchers to team up and take on a carbon challenge. Four projects have been awarded up to £7,500 to support solutions-focused net-zero collaborations taking place from May 2024 to November 2024.
Find out more about the four funded projects below.
The University of Plymouth Research & Innovation Knowledge Transfer Partnerships KTP Lorena Lizarraga at 'Made for Life'
Lorena Lizarraga collaborating with Cornish 'Made for Life Organics'
By collaborating on a solutions-focused project, researchers apply their specialist knowledge, yield tangible results and enable an enterprise to take evidence-based, targeted climate action.
These collaborations also enable enterprises to accelerate their journey to net zero by harnessing their industry’s low carbon possibilities, allowing researchers to maximise the real-world impact of their work.
 
 
 

Adopting Net-Zero Solutions in the South West’s Building Industry 

The construction industry has the potential to make a major contribution to decarbonisation, but it all hinges on the widespread adoption of low-carbon solutions. Dr Hanne Knight and Dr Nigel Jackson are collaborating with Bradfords Building Supplies to measure the scale of low-carbon solutions, products and building materials currently being adopted across the South West. 
The study will help both Bradfords and the wider sector to develop a low-carbon strategy and step up decarbonisation in the construction industry.
Hanne Knight, Nigel Jackson and Giles Bradford in the Sustainability Hub
Dr Hanne Knight, Dr Nigel Jackson and Giles Bradford in the Sustainability Hub
 

Measuring Carbon Capture in Controlled Growing Units

Technology and agriculture join forces in this green scheme to combat climate change. Dr Paul Davey is collaborating with Cornish Essential Oils to explore the power of light factories. Not your average greenhouses, these light factories are high-tech environments where plants’ potential to be carbon-capture champions will be tested. By strategically integrating carbon-capture technology, this study is measuring how much CO2 our leafy friends can lock away, all while boosting crop yields and paving the way for a more sustainable farming future.
Plants growing in a light factory Cornish Essential Oils
Plants growing in a Cornish Essential Oils' light factory
 

Living Walls for Net Zero

A new large-scale green wall system at Exeter Science Centre will be the heart of this study centred on carbon reduction, urban cooling and boosting biodiversity. Dr Thomas Murphy is teaming up with Exeter Science Centre and Western GeoBuild to co-design this green wall system, study it using sensors and actively engage the public through real-time statistical readings, educational signage, webpages and other resources drawing on the Centre’s public engagement expertise.
Dr Thomas Murphy and Natalie Whitehead at Exeter Science Centre
Dr Thomas Murphy and Dr Natalie Whitehead at Exeter Science Centre
 

A Roadmap to Net Zero for Devon-based SMEs

Collaborating with local businesses, Nick Hurst, Dr Stavros Karamperidis and Dr Rong Huang are running a series of workshops for Devon-based SMEs with the aim of comprehending their challenges when it comes to reaching zero carbon emissions.
The project will provide tailored training that enables enterprises to adopt a sustainable business model and, ultimately, will create a straightforward roadmap to net zero that can be followed by SMEs more widely, driving sustainability and improving business efficiency.
George Gillow from Kensa presenting at Heat Pumps in Practice: Ground, water or Air?
A workshop at the Sustainability Hub
 

Read about previous similar collaborations

Take a look at some of the successful projects researchers and enterprises collaborated on thanks to funding from Low Carbon Devon

SageTech Medical 

SageTech Medical case study
SageTech Medical teamed up with Dr Lee Durndell & the chemistry lab to test and optimise the adsorptive material they use to recover anaesthetic gases

Field of yellow rapeseed flowers

Bell and Loxton case study
Dr Vikram Sharma worked with Bell&Loxton to analyse waste materials, assessing their characteristics for suitability in different products

Trimplants 

Trimplants Wholesale Nursery case study
Dr Tom Murphy worked alongside the Trimplants team to develop and test their peat-free alternative Biochar product

Meet collaborators

The Net-Zero Exchange project aims to bring researchers and businesses from all areas together so that together we can explore a whole-systems approach to achieving net zero carbon.
Join our Net-Zero Exchange Network, a platform where you can connect with others interested in collaborating on net-zero solutions.