The world around us is changing faster than we thought possible. As our economy retools and moves towards a carbon-free tomorrow, we plan to lead the most ambitious carbon economy turnaround in the country.
Just as we helped bring the world the steam engine so we can develop technologies to help decarbonise the world, power-up our economy and help tackle the climate crisis.
From gigafactories for electric vehicles to decarbonising heavy industry. From designing new, green financial products to designing low carbon buildings, the opportunities of this new industrial revolution are endless.
D2N2 are already supporting several low carbon projects, investing over £11m in the Dreem social housing retrofit programme, allocating £6.7m for improved cycling access across the region and awarding £0.5m for the creation of sustainable business units at Sherwood Energy Village.
As we drive activities to support our recovery and growth strategy, our key strategic document up to 2030 we are unlocking the expertise, the creativity and the political backing to make our move to zero-carbon a reality.
D2N2 Low Carbon Group
The D2N2 Low Carbon Group launched in June 2021 aims to convene and coordinate low carbon activities and programmes to deliver opportunities for investment, business growth and jobs across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2). The group will also deliver on the goals of the UK’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
Transformation of our coal-fired power stations
Replacing our coal-fired electricity generation provides an unprecedented opportunity to spearhead a new, ambitious zero-carbon energy zone at Ratcliffe-on-Soar that can be a showcase to the rest of the country. We also have former power station sites at Cottam and High Marnham, which will be prime locations for further low carbon energy generation developments.
Development of Nuclear Fusion
We are working with partners to lead the nuclear fusion agenda with the expertise of Rolls Royce and the D2N2 funded Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre in Derby, to develop nuclear solutions to secure the UK’s net-zero commitments affordably and revitalise our regional industrial base.
Maximising natural assets
Our natural assets are known globally and support our strong tourism economy. We will use these natural assets, including Sherwood Forest and the Peak District National Park to support carbon capture and storage and promote green growth to enhance them as key visitor destinations.
Ambitious public partners
Derby City Council has recently declared its ambition to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies. Derbyshire has also been incredibly successful in attracting funding for community-level energy projects. Nottingham City Council and its neighbour Broxtowe are amongst the most ambitious in the country, planning to make their areas carbon-neutral by 2028 and 2027 respectively.
Pioneering Businesses
Our world-class transport manufacturing businesses such as Rolls Royce, Toyota and Bombardier are leading projects to reduce the carbon footprint of their businesses and supply chains and to future proof their operations through adopting green technologies. We also have other businesses like Worcester-Bosch, who are producing low-carbon alternatives to traditional gas boilers; and Porterbrook, who have test-run the UK’s first hydrogen-powered train.
World-leading research and innovation
Our academic partners include the University of Nottingham’s Energy Technologies Research Institute. We are also working with the University of Derby which runs D2N2’s De-carbonise project to help small and medium-sized enterprise to reduce their carbon emissions and Nottingham Trent University, who are a key partner in the ground-breaking RE-ACT-First carbon recycling project.
