cc: , "Mike Hulme" date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 19:03:56 -0000 from: "Elaine Jones" subject: CARBON TRUST & TYNDALL to: , , , , , , "Geoff Dutton" , , , , , , , "Tom" , "Steemers" , Representatives of the Carbon Trust Team and the Tyndall Centre met at UEA, Norwich on February 2^nd, 2001 to discuss the focus of the two organisations and explore potential co-operation. The CT have confirmed that they see a clear basis for collaboration (particularly on the more strategic end of the Carbon Trust's work), and are interested in RP1, RP2 and RP3 (and should be interested in RP6). Tyndall will be invited to nominate a member for the CT Board and we also expressed interest in nominating scientists to participate in future CT Working Groups. There is tremendous scope and they will almost certainly have excess funds in the first year (ca. £150 million budget at present, before they pursue additions from the DTI and DfEE and others). They have invited the Tyndall Centre to summarise /outline the co-operative opportunities in a briefing document for early March. We are now seeking ideas and technical input (concise, high level) from all interested partners asap. The first meeting(s) will be at UMIST on Friday - contact Simon Shackley (visit by Jonanthan Koehler and myself), followed by Southampton (hopefully next week), SPRU and RAL. We believe that the TC Brief is for the perusal of the executives-to-be* ..... the new Chairman was announced 12.2.01 (Mr Ian McAllister - Chairman and MD of Ford Motor Co.UK, with Deputy Chairman Ian Stephenson, currently EHS Director of Johnson Matthey plc). The CEO has not yet been announced. The launch will be on the 20^th March. (*hence our suggestion for a high level, corporate-speak document. No doubt that the first brief will lead to specific and detailed discussions / follow-up). The CT are `currently writing' their medium to longer term strategy and research agenda and seeking co-operation in a number of areas. They recognise the Research Community as a major stakeholder and want their involvement. They have already let a contract to IC (Dennis Anderson ICCET) on a scoping study for low carbon RD&D (I have attached very brief info. received with invite to an IC/DETR brainstorm - which we had to decline). In response to a `soft query' on this during a recent phone call with the CT contact, I received the following comment: ..."there are clearly other Technology centres we will approach, BUT we see Tyndall as The Centre of Excellence and the way-in to all low carbon research issues in the UK". "We are particularly interested in the socio-economic area of the TC programme, the Technology side is up to you and your proposals". "We would be more than happy for you to propose / handle cross institutional projects if you can or the CT will (need to) go to others directly e.g. IC/UCL". Some of the CT views/concerns mentioned in the meeting at UEA are outlined below: They want to accelerate the take-up of LC Technology and take the lead on LC Tech. & innovation across the whole economy, not just in business. Quote - "An early interest of the Trust would be in developing `low carbon pathways' to map out the possible landscapes the Trust needs to consider. We also have a need to understand and find a way of evaluating the plethora of work that has been done on this area, including the economic and social modelling side". They want to broaden out and take some risks on projects and recognise the necessity to take an integrated approach. They are concerned about how to capture ideas/options that exist and will arise, notably from small entrepreneurs. They recognise that the CT will need guidance in assessing quality/feasibility, on technical evaluation and manufacturing/economic viability and also on social acceptability. They made a number of comments on the EEBPP project, which will be transferred to the CT at start-up. It has been running nearly 25 yrs and in their view has not been very effective, is too narrow in focus (very `engineering based'...), that this has blocked other ideas and that improved application could produce dramatic impacts (e.g. factory, electrical/heating bills). They also noted insufficient inspectors / auditors etc. for the programme and Govt. concerns in training from N.Curriculum to Vocational. Also mentioned was a CHP Quality Assurance Programme launched by Govt. and that CHP may replace something else as `available technology' in the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme (note: data from the ECA scheme can be made available if interested - Franz ?). Some of the areas we propose for potential collaboration include: Ø Direct Research Projects (funded or co-funded by CT and others e.g. DTI) Possible expansion &/or acceleration of selected TC projects or elements of projects within current programmes ? and new proposals tailored to CT, potentially with industry/business, and others beyond Tyndall partnership. Ø Screen, evaluate and champion potential co-projects and opportunities with Business and others. This may include identification and evaluation of key demonstration projects, some of which may attract EU funding. Ø Spearhead integrated projects on a regional basis (involving CBI, Local Govt., Env.Agency Regional Offices and other Groups) - underpinned by TC regional network. Ø Public Awareness and Education Arrange and co-host National Events / Workshops / Roadshows etc. - again supported by TC regional network. Considerable potential to explore concerted joint effort in this area ...and perhaps a way to promote (and fund) some of the younger scientists. Grateful for your views, availability for discussions and/or input by mail Regards, Elaine Dr. E. Jones Business Liaison Manager Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK [1]E.L.Jones@uea.ac.uk Tel. 01603-593907 Fax. 01603-593901 [2]www.tyndall.ac.uk Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\ICscope.doc"