A groundbreaking partnership that’s helping the county to meet an ambitious carbon neutral target is the latest sponsor announced for the Cumbria Food Awards.
Eco-I North West is supporting next month’s independent awards event, which is designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in the county’s food and drink industry.
The partnership is to sponsor a special award for an eco-aware food or drink business that’s demonstrated its carbon-cutting credentials. The winner will be announced by the event host, Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
Cumbria Eco-I North West project manager Mike Siddall said: “We are delighted to sponsor this special award as the food and drink industry is already making big contributions towards Cumbria’s net-zero carbon goal.
“We wanted to say thank you and offer specialist help as the sector continues its vital greenhouse gas-cutting journey.”
Cumbria has set itself an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2037, 13 years ahead of the 2050 government target.
Mike Siddall, of University of Cumbria, is leading the county’s drive as part of the £14 million business initiative. He said the carbon-cutting Eco-I North West project has the potential for massive impact.
The new research and development partnership of six universities is rolling out a far-reaching programme to push eco-innovation across the region.
Companies, including those in the country’s food and drink sector, will be supported by high-level degree students, supervised by world-class academics, with access to laboratories, equipment and expertise on a scale never before seen.
Running to 2023, Eco-I North West’s aim is to work with a wide range of small and medium sized enterprises to stimulate growth and cut carbon emissions by 3,850 tonnes, with a significant slice from Cumbria.
Partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund, high-level support is available from PhD, masters and undergraduate researchers. The offer includes up to four months of academically supervised support.
Eco-I NW is on offer to businesses across the region. It is delivered by a consortium of six universities: Cumbria, Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Met. www.cumbria.ac.uk/eco
