News / decarbonisation
£750k funding package secured to decarbonise Bristol port industry
A funding package that amounts to hundreds of thousands of pounds has been allocated to be spent on decarbonising industries in and around Avonmouth Port.
An eleven-strong consortium led by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA), has unlocked £750,000 to decarbonise industries in and around the historic port.
Key members of the group include the University of the West of England, Port of Bristol and Hydrogen South West.
Now a step-by-step green action plan will be created to help decarbonise the activities of Portbury, Avonmouth and Severnside firms.
On the funding package metro mayor Dan Norris said: “The West of England is home to some tricky-to-decarbonise industries. Business leaders tell me they want to step up and do the right thing to reduce their carbon footprint.
“But to do that, they need a solid plan, backed by ambitious, achievable policies to make that transition to a greener way of working as simple as possible.”
A step-by-step green action plan will be created to help decarbonise the activities of Portbury, Avonmouth and Severnside firms – photo: Bristol Port Company
The consortium will identity the areas where firms can become much more energy efficient, and where cleaner, greener fuels can be used. It is thought this is likely to lead to a big jump in the use of heat networks, and other green technologies.
Carbon capture technologies at sites using the West’s rail network where it is considered impossible to completely stop generating carbon will also be studied.
WECA mayor Dan Norris announced he would be “doubling down” on efforts in the West to decarbonise major industries – photo: WECA
Norris added: “The climate crisis is the number one challenge of our time – that’s why I’ve made it a priority. Government ministers are backtracking on net zero, but I’m determined to redouble our efforts here in the West to do the right thing.
“This latest funding boost builds on our recent funding successes – not least the £2.5m in cash we won to establish a new ‘hydrogen supercluster’ in the region, plus other big wins. We are fast becoming a key centre for climate innovation.”
Although shipping is the most environmentally friendly way to move freight, if the shipping industry was a country, it would still be the sixth largest emitter of CO2.
As the industry collectively looks to reach net zero Bristol Port has expressed its commitment in reaching the target – photo: Bristol Port Company
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) set a target of reducing emissions related to maritime transport by 50 per cent by 2050, in comparison to 2008. As the industry collectively looks to reach this goal, Bristol Port has expressed its commitment in reaching their own targets of net zero.
By looking in depth at their operation, the Port has found ways to create energy efficiency and optimisation initiatives through a switch to LEDs, introducing a new Smart Dock Water Management System and phasing out all oil burning boilers.
Main photo: Bristol Port Company
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