Whilst the UK economy may be battling through a double dip recession, the environmental technology sector has emerged as one of the top areas for investment. The Government's target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 has brought increasing pressure to find new technologies and innovations to meet this ambitious goal. Chaired by the Environmental Sustainability KTN and with speakers from the Eden Project and Zero2050, this half day event will bring together industry professionals with academic experts in a series of workshops.

The event will explore the following issues:

• What are the challenges and opportunities presented by the low carbon economy?
• How will changes in environmental regulation and policy affect businesses?
• What are the current innovative technologies?
• What funding opportunities and support are available?
  

Agenda

08.00: Breakfast & Registration, Innovation Centre reception area

08.30: Welcome & Introduction, David Gardner (Chair) Deputy Director of the Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network

08.40: Environmental iNet: Supporting innovation in environmental businesses, Martin Bigg, Director of the Environmental Technologies iNet

08.45: Clear about Carbon: It’s no longer business as usual- Paul Holmes, Outreach and Dissemination Project Manager, Eden Project

09.05: Making sense of our low carbon future- Mark Hodgson, Partner, Zero2050

09.25: Overview of sectors and markets likely to benefit from low carbon agenda- David Gardner (Chair)

09.45: Tea/ Coffee Break

10.00-11.30 / 11.30-13.00: Workshops

Workshop 1: Low carbon manufacturing, led by the Manufacturing Advisory Service South West (MAS-SW) and the University's Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM)
•    Emerging markets and new methods of manufacturing
•    Developing/ introducing new products
•    Managing growth and innovation

Workshop 2: Low carbon buildings, led by Constructing Excellence SW and the University's Centre for Energy and the Environment, 
•    New building design and zero-carbon buildings
•    Carbon reduction in existing buildings and retro-fitting technologies
•    Policy: The Green Deal, FIT and RHI

Workshop 3: Water management, led by the Water and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the University's Centre for Water Systems
•    What are the current water efficient technologies available?
•    How can SMEs benefit from implementing water efficiency methods?
•    Practicalities of implementing water devices

Workshop 4: Access to funding and support, led by the Environmental Sustainability KTN and Enterprise Europe Network
•    UK collaborative research
•    EU opportunities, including Eco-Innovation and FP7
•    Advice and support: concept and consortium building, and creating a strong proposal

Workshop 5: How to consider carbon in purchasing and supply, led by the University of Exeter Business School and Zero2050
•    Raising carbon literacy for procurers and supply chain managers
•    Promoting the development of leadership and management skills for carbon mitigation
•    Building effective low carbon procurement policies and practices

13.00- 14.00: Networking lunch and close

NB: Workshops will last 1hr 30mins and may run twice if there is sufficient demand. We would be grateful if you could note your interest for the workshops in the registration section.