The Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) was named Research Centre of the Year at the edie Net Zero awards in London on Friday, October 17.
This initiative, led by the University of Sussex Business School, focuses on reducing emissions from the country’s industrial clusters and heartlands.
The award recognises IDRIC’s pioneering work as the UK’s first major research centre dedicated to tackling the problem of decarbonising heavy industry.
The centre is co-directed by Professor Benjamin Sovacool, an energy policy specialist at the University of Sussex.
Several of the university’s sustainability experts have managed IDRIC’s projects.
The scheme blends engineering, chemistry and energy research with social sciences to address technical and policy challenges in reducing the environmental impact of industry.
Professor Sovacool said: “Industry is one of the most difficult areas to get action moving on climate.
“We call it ‘hard to abate’ from an emissions standpoint.
“But IDRIC showed it is possible to work well with industry partners and achieve real reductions in carbon emissions.
“It’s about getting technology, policy, and governance all working together to serve that common goal.”
IDRIC’s recent projects include documenting the experiences of communities in the UK’s industrial heartlands and analysing policies that can help achieve the UK’s net zero goals.
The award comes after the Climate Change Committee warned the government that the country is not adequately prepared for the extreme weather events already caused by climate change.
Professor Matthew Lockwood, a University of Sussex energy and climate expert conducting research with IDRIC, commented on the significance of the centre’s work.
He said: “If we fail to decarbonise our industries we will lose them.
“With the EU imposing a carbon border tax, without decarbonisation measures we would face extra tariffs to our largest markets.
“Steelmaking, for example, has now almost all closed down in the UK.
“This matters especially for regional inequality because industries are located in poorer regions of the UK outside London and the South-East, provide relatively well-paid jobs and attract inward investment.”
