Work with a university
Working with university experts is one way to keep up with the latest business innovations, including carbon-reducing strategies. Find out how to connect with the right university and what the potential costs and benefits are.
Why choose a university
Businesses often work with universities on innovative ways to improve products, services and productivity. This can include research on how to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
Find the right university
Examples of universities who collaborate with businesses on carbon-reducing projects:
- University of Derby
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Lancaster University
- University of Chester
- University of Plymouth
Some universities can help you obtain grant funding or provide a student to work on a specific project.
Another option is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). This scheme connects you to a university who will develop a project and recruit a suitable graduate to work at your business.
The scheme lasts 12-36 months and is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute about one-third of the overall cost. For small businesses this is typically about £35,000 per year.
Case study of working with a university: Riverford farm
Using the KTP scheme, Riverford farm made a carbon footprint study with the University of Exeter’s Centre for Energy & Environment.
The study highlighted 3 main areas of focus for reducing carbon emissions:
- transport
- packaging and materials
- electricity usage
Transport
At Riverford farm, transport accounted for 72% of its total carbon emissions. This included:
- transporting goods
- delivering to customers
- business travel
- co-owner commuting
To cut emissions, the following action was taken:
- optimising transport routes to reduce mileage
- no air-freighted food
- setting a target of using 70% electric vehicles by 2023
Use of packaging and materials
Packaging and materials accounted for 14% of the farm’s carbon emissions. This included:
- plastic bags, films and bottles (40.85%)
- pallet wrap (25.13%)
- plastic punnets (17.93%)
- chill pack and insulation (11.79%)
To cut emissions, plastic packaging was removed entirely from many products. It was replaced by recyclable or compostable substitutes. Now over 91% of packaging is biodegradable.
Electricity usage
Electricity accounted for 11% of the farm’s carbon emissions. The decision was taken to:
- switch to a 100% renewable energy supplier
- install solar panels
- use LED lighting bulbs
- reuse waste heat from refrigeration units to heat rest of building