Rural Decarbonisation Challenge launched
Businesses in the North East are being challenged to put forward potential solutions which could help communities in the region’s rural areas work towards decarbonisation. Josh Sawyer, Rural Energy Officer at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) explains more:
Regions all around the UK are working to reduce their emissions as part of the UK’s transition to a net zero economy.
The UK government has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and, here in the North East, the newly-created North East Energy Catalyst is bringing partners together to help develop solutions to global energy challenges, including decarbonisation.
As part of our region’s drive towards reducing emissions, The Rural Decarbonisation Challenge has been launched, inviting North East businesses to put forward their own innovative solutions to the unique challenges faced by rural areas when it comes to decarbonisation.
Here in the North East we have large and varied rural areas which face very different circumstances from our towns and cities – for example, housing is less energy efficient, many communities are off the gas gird, transport options are limited, and digital connectivity is lower.
It’s vital that our rural areas are fully included as we work towards delivering solutions to decarbonisation in the North East, and that’s why we want to hear from businesses and organisations that may already be delivering solutions to some of the challenges faced by rural communities, as well as those who are keen to explore opportunities to begin to develop solutions.
The strongest ideas will be supported through development by the North East Energy Catalyst who can provide one to one support through their network of partners.
A workshop is being held on Monday 9 December at The Rivergreen Centre in Stannington for businesses and organisations that are interested in getting involved in The Rural Decarbonisation Challenge.