GENERATE PROSPECTUS - Flipbook - Page 36
Unlimited opportunities in the East of England
Unlimited opportunities in the East of England
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
PROTECTING OUR
ENVIRONMENT
Norfolk and Suffolk’s commitment to
integrated clean energy generation is not
simply driven by economics but by our
society’s needs. As a low lying coastal
region with many towns, villages and highly
productive farms that are vulnerable to
rising sea levels, we have a vested interest
in preventing runaway climate change. We
also want to protect our natural environment,
which has created a nationally important
landscape that is enjoyed by residents in all
seasons and attracts more than 140 million
visitors a year.
We have numerous designated protected
environments, including Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB) along the Norfolk and
Suffolk coasts, National Nature Reserves, Sites
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other
conservation zones both on and offshore. Quite
a few of these ecologically important areas
lie within the Broads National Park, which
stretches across 300sq km of east Norfolk and
north Suffolk. This is Britain’s largest protected
wetland, its third largest inland waterway and
a globally important wildlife habitat.
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Its rich mosaic of 7 rivers and 63 broads
(all dug by humans) contains 14% of the
UK’s peat-land and is home to some 11,000
species, including around a quarter of
Britain’s rare birds, animals and plants.
However, a 2013 report from the Tyndall
Centre at the UEA, into the effects of climate
change, predicted a 30-40cm rise in sea
levels along our coast by 2100. That would
lead to damaging tidal surges driving salt
water deep into this freshwater system and
destroying aquatic life that depends on it.
SCIENCE LED NATURE
CONSERVATION
GREATER SOUTH EAST
ENERGY HUB
That is why organisations like the Norfolk
and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts, and local Farming
Wildlife Advisory Groups, are working closely
with landowners and public bodies to protect
vulnerable land and build rich habitat networks.
Many farmers are also increasingly looking
at decarbonising their operations by using
no-plough and other regenerative agriculture
techniques, not just to reduce costs but also to
improve soil health and fertility. Others, like the
Wild East alliance of landowners, are looking to
re-wild large areas of land and so help sustain
otherwise threatened wildlife.
The Greater South East Energy Hub (GSEEH)
is a collaboration of eleven LEPs including
New Anglia LEP, who are working together to
increase the number, scale and quality of local
energy projects being delivered across the
greater south east region of England.
Norfolk and Suffolk is also home to
internationally renowned marine and
environmental sciences research centres at
UEA and Cefas. Working together, they aim to
use innovative science and practical expertise
to develop a whole-system approach to
the sustainable use of the world’s seas. For
instance, they are currently working with local
partners, including the energy sector, on further
enhancing the regions capabilities as the UK’s
clean energy powerhouse, while promoting
economically and environmentally sustainable
activity in the SNS.
GSEEH CURRENT
PROJECTS
E
nergy efficiency
D
istributed generation
C
ommunity energy
Local action is needed to transform our
energy system and reduce carbon emissions.
Local energy enables economies and
communities to grow while limiting their
impact on climate change.
E
lectric vehicle transition and
charging infrastructure
GSEEH’s network of energy experts offers
leadership on the economic, social and
environmental benefits of local area energy
and provides project management, technical
support, and advice on finance and investment
to help projects succeed. GSEEH also has
access to a national network of learning and
knowledge sharing on successful projects and
business models.
D
ecarbonisation of heat
O
ff-gas properties
L
ow carbon living and working
W
hole energy systems
G
rid constraints and
infrastructure innovation
info@energyhub.org.uk
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