Institute for Sustainability One Step Closer to Realisation
Adding to London Thames Gateway's already strong business offer for environmental technology firms, Housing Minister Margaret Beckett unveiled plans for a £40 million Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability dedicated to tackling climate change, last month.
The institute will be built on the Sustainable Industries Park (SIP) site in Dagenham Dock, and will provide a hub for collaborative research in the field of sustainability, bringing together the expertise of a wide range of corporate and university partners, including University College London, Imperial College and the University of East London. The SIP itself will be an exemplar "green" business park, showcasing leading-edge sustainable technologies such as recycling, renewable energy generation and the manufacture of sustainable construction materials.
Environmental technologies already generate more than £24 billion for the UK economy annually and it is hoped the SIP could significantly boost this figure, as well as creating more than 1,500 jobs.
Intended to be a ‘living laboratory', the Institute for Sustainability will provide a unique opportunity to explore and implement new technologies across the region, bringing together businesses, academic institutions and research organisations.
Did you know that damaging greenhouse gas can be captured before it escapes into the atmosphere, providing a source of fuel (methane)? Research projects taking place at the Institute for Sustainability include an investigation into how to improve gas capture from landfill sites, conducted in collaboration with Veolia at the Rainham landfill site.
By contrast, a Green Roofs two year study taking place there will identify the most practical and environmentally friendly green roofs, for the London climate. They will be tried and tested at Barking Riverside, with the aim that 40 per cent of the 10,800 new homes will comprise a green roof. The project aims to enhance the environment through the provision of significant green space within the built environment. Results will be published to provide information and guidance to industry.
In another project, airtight ‘house envelopes' will be trialled and tested as well as insulation, renewable energy and water saving technologies on homes in London Thames Gateway.
Aman Dalvi, Chief Executive, Gateway to London commented: "London Thames Gateway, in particular Dagenham Dock, offers many benefits to companies specialising in environmental technologies, and the Institute for Sustainability will be a major boost for the new and innovative companies already taking advantage of the vast market opportunity, as well as attracting new investment to the region."
