Climate, Environment and Clean Energy
Accelerating solutions for resilient, regenerative and low carbon futures.
Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports organisations working across climate, sustainability and clean energy to develop collaborative research partnerships that draw on one of the UK’s largest communities of environment and sustainability experts.
With more than 1,500 researchers contributing to areas such as climate systems, environmental bioeconomy, nature-based solutions and low carbon development, we help partners turn complex environmental challenges into actionable, evidence driven solutions. Acting as a gateway to this interdisciplinary capability, we connect organisations with the most relevant researchers, modelling tools, laboratories and field sites needed to address climate risk, resource pressures and net zero transitions.
We work with businesses, public sector bodies and third sector partners to shape and deliver applied research, translational activity and system focused sustainability innovation. Through these collaborations, organisations are supported to accelerate innovation, strengthen resilience and deliver solutions that benefit communities, ecosystems and the wider economy.
Green Futures
Designing and delivering environmental solutions in a fast-changing world is complex. We're always looking for new ways to maximise the impact from our world-leading environment and sustainability research, and ensure it is co-designed by the real-world challenges you face. To do this, we’ve introduced Green Futures Solutions and the Green Futures Network, to make sure that we’re responsive to your sectors’ needs, opportunities and challenges.
Green Futures Solutions is our new initiative for business, bridging the gap between research and consultancy to provide the most informed sustainability solutions so that, together, we can future-proof your organisation in the green transition. Running alongside this initiative, the Green Futures Network exists to make the University’s environment and climate research more accessible and responsive to public, commercial and community needs, through ‘communities of practice’ and regular events.
Exeter Innovation in numbers
Over 1,500 environment and sustainability researchers contribute to climate, ecological and clean energy‑ research at the University of Exeter.
34 dedicated environment and sustainability institutes and centres support climate, nature and clean energy research and innovation.
Five of the world’s top 21 climate scientists are based at the University of Exeter.
Understanding climate risks, modelling future scenarios and planning effective adaptation are critical for organisations navigating increasing environmental uncertainty. Exeter Innovation enables partnerships by connecting organisations with leading expertise in climate science, risk modelling and decision support.
Through these collaborations, businesses can identify and quantify vulnerabilities, strengthen operational and supply chain resilience, reduce long-term financial exposure, and make informed investment decisions that protect assets and maintain continuity in a changing climate.
Contact
Natalie Gawor
Business Development Manager
View our Combatting Climate Change brochureReducing emissions, planning credible transition pathways and driving behaviour change are essential for organisations operating in a low‑carbon economy. Exeter Innovation facilitates collaborations that provide access to expertise in carbon accounting, mitigation planning and evidence-based decision‑making.
These partnerships help organisations develop achievable and resilient net zero strategies, reduce operational and supply chain risks, meet evolving regulatory and investor expectations, and unlock efficiencies, innovation and long-term cost savings.
Contact
Natalie Gawor
Business Development Manager
Advances in renewable generation, storage and energy system integration are creating new opportunities for reliable, low carbon energy. Exeter Innovation connects partners with expertise across engineering, geoscience and policy to support the development, testing and optimisation of clean energy technologies.
These collaborations enable organisations to deploy resilient and cost-effective energy systems, reduce exposure to volatile energy markets, and accelerate progress towards long‑term decarbonisation goals.
Contact
Gareth Jenkins
Business Development Manager
Healthy ecosystems and resilient water systems are fundamental to long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Exeter Innovation supports partnerships drawing on expertise in ecology, conservation, natural capital and water system resilience, including collaboration with the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW).
We help organisations design and implement evidence-based solutions, including nature‑based interventions, biodiversity monitoring and verification, pollution management, catchment‑scale resilience and sustainable water strategies, strengthening both environmental outcomes and operational resilience.
Contact
Dan Bloomfield
Business Development Manager
Kate Gannon
Senior Business Development Manager
Improving resource efficiency and developing sustainable, bio-based alternatives are key to building resilient, low‑carbon value chains. Exeter Innovation connects organisations with expertise in circular design, material innovation, industrial biotechnology, sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and bio‑based value chain development.
These collaborations support the development of lower impact products and processes, reduce waste and costs, strengthen supply chain resilience, and unlock new commercial opportunities through circular and bio‑based innovation.
Contact
Andrew Barnett
Business Development Manager
Puja Thiel
Business Development Manager
Harnessing data science and AI, our Environmental Intelligence expertise provides organisations with powerful insights to inform decision-making, manage risk and drive innovation. From climate risk and resilience to biodiversity monitoring, earth observation, geospatial analytics and land management, Exeter Innovation enables data‑driven solutions to complex sustainability challenges.
These collaborations help organisations optimise operations, strengthen resilience and plan, invest and innovate with confidence in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
Contact
Tom Nicholson
Business Development Manager
The University of Exeter’s academic perspective and mapping, data analysis and processing skills made us much better informed about the natural environment as a result.”
David Smith,
Upstream Thinking Programme Manager at South West Water
“It’s widened our horizons. It’s a game changer for us. The tools, and the experience of co-creating them with SWEEP, has made us think more ambitiously and innovatively about what we can do rather than continuing with how we’ve always done things.”
Ally Kohler BEM,
Director of Conservation and Communities, Dartmoor National Park Authority
“Working with the University of Exeter’s circular economy team helped us not only gain a greater understanding of our company's carbon footprint and environmental impact, but the actions we need to take to decarbonise and reach Net Zero emissions.”
Dan Parker,
Director, FireText
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