Aston Uni plans 'climate community'

Aston is part of a successful consortium bid that brings together other universities, global companies and researchers to transition the West Midlands region and five other European regions into Climate Knowledge and Innovation Communities (Climate-KIC).

These so-called ‘innovation hotspots’ will test, develop and facilitate green industries and encourage new climate-change markets.

The areas comprise: central Hungary; Lower Silesia, Poland; West Midlands; Hessen, Germany; Emilia Romagna, Italy; and Valencia, Spain.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) scheme will see investment across four major research and innovation programme areas: climate science, low-carbon cities, zero-carbon production systems and integrated water management.

These programmes are expected to offer advanced training, create new companies and spin outs and help develop markets for existing low-carbon industries across Europe.

The West Midlands area Climate-KIC programme will be led by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and will involve Aston, Birmingham and Warwick universities; Birmingham and Coventry councils; the Midlands Energy Consortium; and Qinetiq and Arup.