In November 2023, we organised a fourth workshop, this time on ‘Industrial Carbon Footprints – Moving Towards Net-Zero’. Held at the iCAST Creative HUB space in Carriage Works, Swindon, this event brought together 20 individuals from industry and academia.
The aim of the workshop was to identify key challenges faced by companies when tackling carbon footprints within their supply chains. Dr Ahmed Gailani from the University of Leeds presented a talk on the topic of ‘Assessment of Decarbonisation Options for Industrial Sectors,’ followed by Dr Sam Cooper from the University of Bath, who presented on ‘Steps in the journey towards net zero.’
Representing a diverse range of sectors, participants at the workshop outlined their strategies for achieving net-zero targets. Through the discussions, it was evident that while some had well-defined sustainability strategies integrated into their operations, others faced complexities such as traditional manufacturing methods or geographical constraints.
Inspired by these discussions, potential projects were proposed to tackle the challenges and make the most of opportunities. These projects aim to advance sustainable packaging and include initiatives such as:
- Developing bio-based ‘single-use’ PPE
- Delivering chartered c-LCA certification and training
- Upskilling the UK workforce in relation to sustainability
- Incorporating whole-system thinking in the production of sustainable, bio-based materials.
Workshop outcomes
This workshop underscored the vital importance of carbon-saving assessments in reaching net-zero targets. Furthermore, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, methodologies, and tools needed for evaluating and reducing carbon footprints. Thanks to the networking opportunities afforded by this workshop, important connections were made with academic collaborators, laying the groundwork for two potential collaborative initiatives.
