Image credit: Mike Jerskine
Over recent years we have all become a lot more aware of our carbon footprint and the things we can do at home to help. Most households now actively recycle; there are options for sustainable clothing and even electric cars, all of which are designed to help the impact that our day to day lives have on the environment. However, as much as we can do our bit at home there is a lot that is beyond our control – how much of an impact the making of the products we use in our home has, for example. We can try to be conscious of the product that we buy, but that isn’t always practical, or affordable. This is why UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced plans to do more.
A number of business-led partnerships have been announced to help with advancements in technology and ensure that businesses can also do their part when it comes to reducing carbon footprint. More than £75 million has been made available across nine partnerships to work towards developing new technology. Funds have been sourced from several sources included business, government and academia, in a massive step towards reducing our overall carbon footprint.
The University of Liverpool Gets Involved
The first announcement for the initiative is that Unilever are going to team up with both Oxford University and the University of Liverpool. Their aim is going to be to develop ways that everyday consumer products can have their carbon footprint reduced. It is thought that researchers involved in the project will look at ways that materials can be made more using more sustainable methods such as carbon capture
What Do They Hope To Achieve?
The first aim is to help reduce the carbon footprint of several global supply chains. Currently, everyday consumer products such as shampoo and washing-up liquid are products that we need, but they have big carbon footprints. The aim is to decarbonise these products and take a step towards the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
Secondly, it is thought that the initiative in Liverpool and Oxford will help to grow the local economy and generate a number of skilled job openings in the area.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng talked about wanting to build things in a better way and putting funding in place to ensure that the development can be helped by those at the top of their field. He recognises that there is a need to develop high-quality products and as such there will be a need for industry-leading technology to be in place. This won’t just happen and instead, he says they have thrown all of their efforts towards working developing partnerships that are all about innovation. Of course, this won’t happen overnight but the funding is secured and as such, it is thought that things will get started quickly – and Liverpool is right there, ensuring a better world for us all in the future.
