Environmental Industries and the Low Carbon Economy
The transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainable development will generate considerable opportunities for economies and businesses. As well as generating economic and business benefits, development of the UK’s environmental industries also contributes to policy objectives in areas such as employment, skills, housing, health and environmental improvements. URSUS team members have over 15 years experience in analysing and supporting the environmental industries. We also advise on resource efficiency improvements in businesses. High and fluctuating energy prices, increasing costs of waste disposal, regulations and customer expectations, all provide strong commercial drivers for resource efficiency improvements.
URSUS advises clients on:
- Business support: development and implementation of resource efficiency and energy efficiency support to businesses;
- Sector and market analysis: analysis and support for the environmental goods and services industry, renewable energy and low carbon sectors;
- Innovation and skills in the environmental industries, including skill needs in sustainable construction and sustainable communities;
- Social enterprise, analysis and support, including generating market opportunities for social enterprises through public sector sustainable procurement.
Case Studies:
- Analysis of supply chain opportunities in renewable energy in mid Wales, undertaken with Quantum Technology and Strategy on behalf of the Central Wales Economic Forum and the Welsh Assembly Government, 2010.
- Review of market opportunities and skills needs for the low carbon economy in Yorkshire and the Humber, for Yorkshire Forward, 2010.
- Preparation of briefing papers on opportunities developing green jobs in Yorkshire and Humber, on behalf of Yorkshire Futures and the Yorkshire and Humber Independent Sustainable Development Board, 2010.
- Research into opportunities for addressing worklessness through green space management activities in the North West of England, on behalf of the NWDA, Groundwork, Environment Agency, Natural England and partners, 2009.
- Assessment of the feasibility of attracting inward investment in wind energy manufacturing operations, for the East Midlands Development Agency.
- Evaluation of the Marches Environmental Technology Network, on behalf of Shropshire Council and Adavntage West Midlands, 2010.
- Assessment of the employment potential of increasing recycling rates in the UK and European Union, on behalf of Friends of the Earth.
- Analysis of Eco-Industries in Shropshire and Telford, on behalf of Advantage West Midlands and Shropshire County Council, 2007.
- Development of regional structures for the delivery of resource efficiency support to businesses in the East Midlands, on behalf of the East Midlands Regional Development Agency. The study developed recommendations for delivering and managing resource efficiency support, including integration with the single regional gateway for business support.
- Future structures for delivering resource efficiency support to businesses in Wales for the Welsh Assembly Government, including integration within mainstream business support.
- Feasibility Study for a capital grant scheme and support for renewable energy installations and energy efficiency improvements in businesses in the Rural Regeneration Zone of the West Midlands, involving extensive business consultation, assessment of renewable energy supply chains, appraisal of economic costs and benefits and assessment of carbon reduction effect, on behalf of Advantage West Midlands.
- Mapping of the environmental and low carbon sectors in Wales, on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Cluster analysis in the environmental and low carbon energy sectors in the North East of England, the South East and the West Midlands.
- Analysis of opportunities for business diversification into low carbon and environmental markets on behalf of the Rover Task Force.
- Identifying shareholder value generated by sustainable development initiatives in the mining and metals sector.
Examples of Clients:
- Welsh Assembly Government
- Advantage West Midlands
- East Midlands Development Agency
- South East Regional Assembly
- Shropshire County Council
- Yorkshire Forward
- Yorkshire Futures
- Sheffield City Council
- Walsall Council
- Sustainability West Midlands
- Environment Agency
- Groundwork
- Friends of the Earth
URSUS Contact:
Stephen Owen
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Tel. 07720 416 356
