Insight
The recent publication of UKRI’s Celebrating our Impact report highlights the strides made in the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, an initiative aimed at reducing industrial emissions across the UK. Among the featured success stories is the Scottish Net Zero Roadmap (SNZR), spearheaded by Optimat, NECCUS and partners, which showcases significant advancements in decarbonising some of Scotland’s largest industrial sites. This project is a key component of the UKRI’s broader effort to foster the development and implementation of low-carbon technologies and strategies within the UK’s major industrial zones, aiming for a comprehensive transition to a low-carbon economy by 2045.
The SNZR specifically targets the east coast of Scotland, home to major industrial sectors including petrochemicals, natural gas, and large-scale distilleries, which together are responsible for 75% of Scotland’s industrial CO2 emissions. With a budget that includes £868,949 in grant funding and £365,976 in matched funding over a 27-month period, Optimat’s leadership is crucial for driving effective decarbonisation across these high-emission industries.
Our comprehensive approach involved evaluating various decarbonisation technologies and aligning them with current policy landscapes. The roadmap aims to achieve emissions reductions predominantly in the chemicals, power, and refining sectors by 2045, employing strategies such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies. These technologies are poised to play a critical role, especially at large emission sites such as Grangemouth, by advocating for the development of shared CCUS infrastructures that can lower costs and improve financial viability across other industries.
Furthermore, the roadmap proposes the creation of a hydrogen network supported by hydrogen plants that integrate carbon capture technologies. This network is envisioned to not only reduce emissions but also catalyse economic and job growth throughout the region.
We are delighted to be a part of this proactive and integrated approach, which is necessary to address industrial emissions effectively. This initiative not only aligns with the goals of the UKRI Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge but also underscores the extensive benefits such projects bring, including significant economic impacts and substantial job creation, estimated to contribute around £21 billion and support thousands of jobs annually by 2045.
The impact and benefits as displayed in the UKRI report are shown in the image below.
The insights provided by UKRI’s Celebrating our Impact report not only reflect the progress made through initiatives like the Scottish Net Zero Roadmap but also signify the ongoing efforts required to reach our ambitious decarbonisation goals. While the report celebrates significant milestones in reducing industrial emissions, it also serves as a call to action for continued innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. As we move forward, the successes documented in this report will undoubtedly inspire and inform future strategies, reinforcing the need for sustained commitment and proactive measures to achieve a net-zero future. It is crucial that all stakeholders—industryleaders, policymakers, and communities—remain engaged and supportive of these endeavours to ensure that the momentum gained is not only maintained but accelerated towards our collective environmental objectives.