(a) Decarbonise Scheme for SMEs in Derbyshire – Liz Pasteur, DCC
(b) Role of East Midlands Chamber in Sustainable East Midlands Campaign – Ian Bates, East Midlands Chamber
(c) The Cement and Lime Industry in High Peak and Beyond Net Zero 2050 Roadmap – Spencer Green, Breedon Group
Minutes:
De-Carbonise Scheme
Liz Pasteur from Derbyshire County Council
made a presentation to the Working Group around the De-Carbonise
scheme which was a collaboration between Derby City Council, DCC
and the University of Derby which aimed to reduce carbon emissions
for businesses. A copy of the
presentation is attached. Grant funding
was available until October 2022 to support carbon reduction,
although it was noted that funding had run out for Derbyshire at
the moment but other grants and support were available. Ways in
which businesses could be helped were set out and included
lighting, heating and insulation, compressed air and heat recovery,
resource efficiency and renewable energy.
In response to a query, members were advised that the project started in November 2019 and followed on from the D2 energy efficiency scheme. The scheme was funded jointly by the councils and the ERDF. Regarding grants for heating, grants had been provided for gas heating where carbon savings would be made due to a lack of alternative options.
Sustainable East Midlands
Ian Bates from East Midlands Chamber made a presentation around the Sustainable East Midlands Project which aims to increase awareness and engagement among businesses with the sustainability agenda, while pushing the region to the forefront of the UKs ‘Build Back Greener’ vision for the post-Covid economy. A copy of the presentation is attached. A number of goals were set out which were being delivered via a suite of forums / conferences and summits. A business network magazine was produced, together with online resources and signposting to funded support. An Environmental Impact Award would also be made.
Regarding educating the public sector, it was reported that DCC were changing their procurement process and discussions were taking place with local authorities around embedded carbon or indirect carbon footprints. Reference was made to businesses being more amenable to reducing office space to enable staff to work at home or within hubs.
Beyond Net Zero 2050 roadmap – Breedon
Spencer Green from the Breedon Group made a presentation around the OK Concrete and Cement Industry Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero. A copy of the presentation is attached. Generally, carbon production had been reduced by over 50% due to efficiencies, improvements and plant rationalisation. The use of low carbon cements and concrete carbon capture were essential for the sector and this was being achieved by resource efficiencies including technological changes to the product and additive manufacturing. It was noted that through carbonation and thermal mass, when concrete is in the in-built environment it draws carbon back into it and can absorb about 20% of its process emissions and this continues once concrete is demolished. The Government’s goal by 2032 was discussed and recommendations around how the public sector could achieve this target were set out.
With reference to carbon capture, members were advised that research was on-going at the moment with a pilot project starting in Norway. Technology more suitable to the cement industry was in early development. Regarding the drop in emissions from the cement industry, members advised that this was due to plant rationalisation and an increase in imports. Demand was fairly flat and talks were on-going between government and the largest users of cement around infrastructure delivery.
All the presenters were thanked for their presentations and attendance.