How innovation is helping to cut carbon and fight climate change in West Sussex

Record heatwaves in the US and devastating floods across Europe have shed new light on the urgency of the climate crisis. In coastal West Sussex, global warming is predicted to bring more frequent, intense flooding, drought, episodes of extreme heat and stormier conditions, a rise in sea levels and greater coastal erosion, impacting on habitats. We are already seeing some of these effects today.

Local authorities in the region have declared a climate emergency and pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Coastal West Sussex Partnership has prioritised sustainability – and innovative schemes are under way to help tackle climate change.

Following a successful campaign for a byelaw to restrict trawling, with support from Sir David Attenborough, the Sussex Kelp Restoration Project has launched to restore almost 200 square kilometres of lost kelp forest along our coast.

Kelp – brown seaweeds which draw down carbon from the atmosphere – once formed a huge underwater forest along the coastline from Selsey to Shoreham, but since the 1980s the habitat has been decimated due to trawling, storm damage and the dumping of sediment by dredging boats. The Sussex Nearshore Trawling Byelaw means the seabed is now protected from bottom-towed trawling gear in the new exclusion zone, allowing kelp to regenerate and ecosystems to recover. 

As well as enriching marine life, a renewed kelp forest could also reduce the impact of waves on our shorelines. The University of Brighton is leading research into carbon flows and how much carbon the kelp could capture, as the water quality and seabed substrate will define how dense the kelp return will be.

Henri Brocklebank, director of conservation policy and evidence at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: “We have less than four per cent of the original kelp forest remaining – it’s shocking we’ve lost this incredible ecosystem. But the good news is it’s already coming back.

“We know the climate crisis and the ecological crises are inextricably linked. Allowing the kelp to regenerate is animating the carbon cycle – creating more biodiversity and bioabundance. 

“Natural restoration of the kelp will be drawing down carbon for everyone’s benefit. We all want to see healthy habitats.”

Another major scheme to combat climate change has been launched by Hydrogen Sussex, an energy group working to stimulate the push towards a zero-carbon economy. Led by the Greater Brighton Economic Board, with members from across business, councils and academia, Hydrogen Sussex aims to put the region at the forefront of the hydrogen fuel revolution.

 As part of the group, Shoreham Port has set out ambitious plans for a green hydrogen hub to provide clean energy to the transport industry, including lorries, buses, ships and aircraft – some of the highest carbon emitters, which are also critical for the economy. The port plans to develop an operational electrolysis hydrogen plant by 2024. Wind, solar and hydro power will be converted into renewable hydrogen through electrolysis – a process which is almost silent, produces no waste and emits no pollutants.

Global engineering and consultancy firm Ricardo is also investing £2.5 million in a hydrogen development and test facility at its Shoreham Technical Centre.

Group risk manager Andrew Swayne said the scheme supports several of the Greater Brighton pledges on the environment (the GB10), which include commitments to promote clean fuel.

He said: “Ricardo is part of Hydrogen Sussex, which is really exciting.

“The plan is to create a centre of excellence for hydrogen and electrified transport engineering, helping the drive to become a zero-carbon economy, and positioning the region and the UK at the forefront of the global green industrial revolution. 

“But there is still a lot of work to deliver on the GB10 pledges.

“One of the biggest challenges is decarbonising the built environment. There is some progress on council housing but it needs to be the entire built environment. For new builds, we want to adopt energy-efficient building regulations.

“Who will benefit most? Our grandchildren. Post-generational thinking is so important.” 

Director of property and infrastructure at Shoreham Port Tim Hague said the port is continuously looking at ways to reduce its environmental impact across its infrastructure and property developments. 

He said: “As an EcoPort, we’re committed to putting sustainability at the forefront of design for developments. Every new site must follow a template of high sustainability standards.

“At our Maritime House business centre we’ve invested £0.5 million in a water source heat pump for heating and hot water, replacing an oil-fired system and saving about 70 tonnes of carbon every year.

“There are significant investments involved, but biting the bullet does bring economic benefits, and reduces carbon emissions earlier than expected.”

Caroline Wood, director at Coastal West Sussex Partnership, said: “We’re really proud of our commitment to develop green growth as part of a Greater Brighton initiative. 

“We need to look at everything we do through the prism of sustainability to make this region a leader in the fight against climate change.”

For more information, visit https://coastalwestsussex.org.uk.