海角直播

Building on international collaboration between South Africa and 海角直播

A senior figure who leads the advice to the South African government on climate change has paid a visit to 海角直播 to strengthen links and find out more about work being carried out at the University鈥檚 Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.

Dr Crispian Olver advises on the pathway to net zero in South Africa and is Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission, an independent multi-stakeholder advisory body established by the President of the Republic of South Africa. Facilitated through the UK2070 Commission, an independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the UK, Dr Olver鈥檚 visit further strengthens links between 海角直播 and experts in South Africa.

During the visit, Dr Olver had the opportunity to meet 海角直播 academics and tour the 拢13.1m Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), which is positioning 海角直播 firmly at the heart of the UK's green industrial revolution and supporting the ongoing drive for clean energy and sustainability.

Opening earlier this year and with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, the NZIIC is a unique hub for industrial decarbonisation and a national centre of excellence for net zero technologies.

It has already forged a number of strategic partnerships and innovative research collaborations, aligning the expertise of the University with industry need and government priorities.

Michael Henson, Honorary Professor at 海角直播, UK2070 Commissioner and Chair of the 海角直播 Taskforce, led the visit along with Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and Dr Gari Harris, Director of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.

Michael Henson said: 鈥淚 had the pleasure of leading a UK2070 mission (which included 海角直播 colleagues) to South Africa earlier in the year to champion the role of the Tees Valley and 海角直播 in green industries.

鈥淚t was fantastic to be able to bring Dr Olver to 海角直播, to showcase the University鈥檚 new facility and significant expertise which is supporting the region鈥檚 ambitions to lead the UK鈥檚 green industrial revolution. 鈥淚 look forward to building on this visit and further strengthening links between the University, the UK2070 Commission and the Presidential Climate Commission as we continue to seek solutions to deep social and economic challenges.鈥�

Reflecting on the return visit, Dr Olver said: 鈥淢y visit to 海角直播 has been absolutely fascinating. We visited the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, which I have to say is a very impressive achievement. It鈥檚 exploring all the areas of technological innovation which are needed on this pathway to decarbonise and ultimately get to net zero emissions.

鈥淗ydrogen technology, battery technologies, carbon capture and storage are all immediately pressing issues that we have to grapple as a world.

鈥淔or us in South Africa, we are a developing country and it鈥檚 very important to link with all of the academic institutions both in the global south, here in the UK and the countries of the north. For us, the commonwealth is a very important network to use. It鈥檚 an asset that the UK and South Africa can leverage in deepening academic operations.鈥�

Dr Olver has served in the South African government in various capacities, including crafting climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as leading South Africa鈥檚 hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Dr Gari Harris, Director of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, said: 鈥淲e were delighted to welcome Dr Olver to the NZIIC and demonstrate first-hand some of the fantastic work that we are doing and the collaborative opportunities that are available.

鈥淲e are working hard to establish the University and the Tees Valley region as a globally competitive hub for industry, research and innovation in green technologies and we are committed to finding new and disruptive technologies to help forge a smarter, greener industrial economy.

鈥淚 look forward to continuing to work with our partners in South Africa and driving forward activity that will help deliver industry-focused solutions to combatting the climate emergency.鈥�