A university project that helps Liverpool city region businesses reduce their carbon footprint secures an extra £1.6m. Tony McDonough reports
Experts at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the University of Liverpool will continue to help Liverpool city region firms to decarbonise after securing an extra £1.6m.
The Low Carbon Eco Innovatory (LCEI) has already supported more than 400 firms in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. It leverages university-level know-how to help Merseyside companies reduce waste and energy consumption and carbon footprints.
This project, previously funded by the European Regional Development Fund, has won £1.6m backing from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.
A partnership between LJMU and University of Liverpool, LCEI is now offering low carbon assistance alongside match-funded grants of up to 50% for low carbon installations and equipment up to March 2025.
Lesley Lambert, LCEI strategic project manager, said: “LCEI has been a highly successful project, opening up university facilities and resources to hundreds of businesses that may not have been able to access this type of support otherwise.
“We can now also offer financial assistance for businesses to continue their low carbon journey, whether installing renewable technologies or upgrading equipment or buildings, ultimately improving profitability, efficiency and competitiveness.”
Launched in 2015, LCEI has previously helped more than 400 LCR SMEs to reduce their carbon emissions, saving more than 45,000 tonnes CO2.
A recent evaluation praised the quality of academic and technical support offered to businesses, its effective business recruitment and its governance.
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One business to have benefited from LCEI is Rechelle Davies, founder of Merseyside firm Energy Fairies. She developed an idea for a thermal blind to help keep homes warm. Thanks to the project the product went from drawing board to market-ready.
Her prototype was taken to JMU’s Byrom Street Campus where the School for Built Environment boasts three labs which are actual houses – one from the 1920s, one from the 1970s and one modern day.