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

Research & knowledge transfer... 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......as a tool for growth to improve competitiveness and growth

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

A low carbon economy? (or one that operates within environmental limits) The objective Pathways to delivery

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!

= Truly low carbon economy ‘investment’: 2 = lower carbon economy ‘investment’: “developing carbon and environmental sustainability within business – developing new business models, new business opportunities, developing the skills for change, overcoming risk and stimulating innovation” 3 = General development of envi/carbon literacy Specific Investments Targeting low carbon economy investment, intervention and decision making….? “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)” “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”

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

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

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

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

Thank You