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Byers Supports Battle to Reduce Buildings CO2 Emissions

April 30, 2001

£18 million launch for 8 new industry research partnerships

Office buildings could soon take a breath of fresh air following the launch of a new industry research partnership to promote the take up of green energies in office buildings by Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers.

The partnership, INREB (Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings) is one of 8 new Faraday Partnerships announced today.

INREB will be looking at ways of reducing the Carbon Dioxide emissions and accelerating the growth of renewable energy products in the UK. With building heating systems exhaling 45% of all UK CO2 emissions the Partnership looks set to give the UK a boost in meeting the ambitious targets set following the Kyoto agreement for the reduction of CO2 emissions by 2010.

The partnership should also secure the UK a world-leading place in the renewables industry that could provide an estimated 500,000 additional EU jobs by 2005.

Mr Byers said:

"We need to encourage small business to exploit the very best in academic knowledge and skills to make sure they have the competitive edge in the UK and in the global market. That is why Faraday Partnerships employ technology translators - people who can act as a link between research and business.

"This vital investment will have an impact on the future of UK manufacturing and industry and ensure good ideas are properly developed and that researchers understand the potential that their work offers industry."

The Partnerships focus on turning academic research into new products and services in a way that enables business, and in particular SME's, to increase their competitiveness.

The COMIT Partnership, for example, will carry out research into new materials that will provide high quality lightweight displays in cars, aircraft and for personal communications that provide information in "real time".

Led by Southampton University, COMIT involves major UK companies like Marconi as well as inward investors who recognise the strength of UK science and want to invest here.   As well as training high quality people for the industry, COMIT will also encourage new spin-out companies, especially in the vicinity of Southampton and the other partner universities.

The 8 new partnerships will receive nearly £10m funding from DTI, £1m from MAFF and £7m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council or the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.

Professor Brook from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research council said:

"It is splendid to see that the Faraday Partnership concept is now being extended to cover a wider industrial canvas; the concept has already proved itself effective in allowing smaller companies to take advantage of the research skills in the university sector. This enlargement of the programme will bring the benefits to an even wider group."


Newcastle upon Tyne, University of