Plugging the ‘innovation gap’ in the race to Net Zero
14 June 2021
The transition to a net zero economy is one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced. Here in Greater Manchester, we are aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2038, twelve years faster than the UK as a whole. Achieving this will be incredibly difficult, but it also opens up incredible opportunities for tech businesses and start-ups to lead the way in developing new and exciting solutions that cut emissions, protect the environment and improve people’s lives.
Switching to existing technologies like renewable energy and electric vehicles will play a huge role in the net zero transition, but even if we use every measure currently available to us to the maximum extent possible, the science shows we will still blow Greater Manchester’s carbon budget (our fair contribution to tackling climate change) by around a fifth.
In other words, there is a gap between what we know we need to achieve, and what is currently possible with the technology available to us. Plugging this ‘innovation gap’ is the big challenge on the horizon.
Some of the issues we face include rapidly increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and manufacturing, significantly upscaling renewable energy and using it locally, reducing transport emissions and minimising waste. Data-driven digital technology can play a key role in solving all of these problems.
Thankfully, we have good foundations in place. Greater Manchester’s digital tech and low carbon sectors are the largest outside of London and the south east. Combine that with our ambitious climate target, our potent mix of manufacturing and service industries, the pedigree of our universities and strong local government support for both agendas, and we have all the ingredients we need to create a world-leading, tech-driven low carbon cluster in our city region.
We already have some excellent companies developing cutting-edge solutions. Take Qbots Energy, which is utilising Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things to make buildings smarter in the way they use energy. Or Dsposal, which is using the power of data and digital technology to help businesses understand where their waste goes and how to manage it more effectively.
Both have received growth support through GC Business Growth Hub’s Green Technologies and Services Sector team, our dedicated support service for SMEs working in – or looking to diversify into – low carbon goods and services in Greater Manchester.
Our green tech support is backed up by a virtual Low Carbon Network, which connects members to local growth and collaboration opportunities. We are also able to link up solution providers with other local businesses receiving support from our Resource Efficiency service to improve their energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Meanwhile, digital tech companies can access specialist advice and guidance through the Hub’s Digital, Creative and Tech (DCT) team, which is currently taking final applications for our wraparound support programme, Greater Connected Exceed. Delivered by experienced sector experts, Exceed has been designed specifically to help DCT businesses fire-up growth again as we emerge from COVID-19.
By combining the digital and green agendas together, the potential for innovation is endless. Most of that potential is still untapped and we need to get it flowing; digitalisation and decarbonisation will have to work hand-in-hand if we are to succeed. The climate crisis won’t wait, and neither should we.
Join us at Trailblazing Tech on Friday 2 July, either virtually or in person.
Applications for Greater Connected Exceed close on 21 June
Sarah Novotny, Head of Digital, Creative and Tech Sector Business Support
Sarah is passionate about bringing effective business growth strategies to the community behind Greater Manchester’s digital, creative and tech sector.
With almost a decade of experience in growing teams and businesses, Sarah strives to bring improvement by connecting creative minds and establishing environments which accelerate growth
Sarah brings an international perspective and is well known for her straight to the point way of approaching business support. She has worked with teams in blue chips, Scaleups, SMEs and Startups, and prides herself in bringing learnings around strategy, sales, innovation, pricing and productization from all these adventures into an ambition to interlink and align industry needs with the GM sector support offering.
Sarah leads several programmes for the GC Business Growth Hub including Greater Connected, Exceed and the Creative Scale-Up Programme which are delivered to the Greater Manchester digital, creative and tech sector network.
Amy House, Head of Green Technologies and Services
Amy is a chartered environmentalist, with over 15 years’ experience both as a commercial manager within the energy from waste sector and a business advisor in the Green Technologies and Services industry.
With an MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction and extensive experience in a consultancy role, she has developed a deep understanding of the technologies that make up the industry and the legislation that affects it.
She also has specialist knowledge of the sector’s supply chain and has spent over a decade developing and managing a range of programmes to support its growth across the North West of England.
This support has typically included providing tailored advice and guidance to small and medium sized businesses to achieve their growth potential through providing access to new sales opportunities, specialist training and market intelligence to help better navigate the turbulent market they operate within.
Amy is now Head of Green Technologies and Services at GC Business Business Growth Hub, delivering a support programme aimed at businesses suppling low carbon environmental goods and services.
She leads a team of specialist advisors who help businesses in the sector to identify barriers to growth, raise their profile and boost sales to fast-track the successful transition to a net zero economy.
As an advocate for the sector, Amy has a key role in engaging and sharing her knowledge with both private stakeholders and public bodies to accelerate the uptake of low carbon tech and help achieve the UK’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.