Key organisations involved in decarbonisation projects across the Humber region will come together for the first time to promote opportunities for students and businesses.

Phillips 66, SSE, Drax, Centrica, Equinor, National Grid Ventures and VPI-Immingham will be among those exhibiting at the first Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Conference, being held as part of Humber Business Week.

The free event will take place at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe on Tuesday, 7^th June.

In the morning, hundreds of students from schools and colleges across the region will have a chance to discuss careers in decarbonisation.

The afternoon will give the opportunity for SME and supply chain businesses to understand the impact of these huge, multi-billion-pound infrastructure projects, which will capture carbon dioxide before it goes into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.

The Humber emits 40% of the nation’s total carbon emissions and holds a key to the Government hitting its 2050 net zero ambition.

The conference is being organised by the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan (HICP), supported by Phillips 66 and VPI combined heat and power plant.

Katie Hedges, Director of Low Carbon Strategy at CATCH in Stallingborough and engaged by the HICP, was delighted by the interest generated by the conference.

“This event will bring together key stakeholders who are actively involved with decarbonisation activities and projects in the Humber region,” she said.

“The Humber: A 2030 Vision for Industrial Decarbonisation Map, created in collaboration with Marketing Humber, is being brought to life, with companies featured on the map taking exhibition space and hosting breakout sessions.

“The Humber Industrial Cluster plan, led by the HEY LEP and CATCH, alongside industrial partners, will showcase what is happening in the region, the opportunities available and provide visitors with access to key people from prominent companies across the decarbonisation space.”

The map brings together the breath of infrastructure, carbon sequestration capacity, hydrogen storage and production plus highlights the vast potential for skills, job creation and huge investment bolstering the local and UK economy.

Nina Stobart, External Communications and Public Affairs Lead at Phillips 66, had the idea of bringing the decarbonisation map to life.

“We are particularly keen to engage with the region’s schools, sixth forms and FE colleges, their careers advisers and STEM teachers, to explain the opportunities coming the Humber’s way,” she said.

“Decarbonisation is going to create thousands of jobs and we want to support young people in their career choices.

“The opportunities go beyond just STEM subjects, as there will be a range of disciplines employed in decarbonisation in the future.

“The Humber’s in a unique place to capitalise on this new sector because of the amount of high energy industry and its proximity to safe storage under the North Sea.”

Schools, academies, sixth forms and FE colleges across the Humber have been invited to the event, with the offer of free travel.

Those who would like to book their students a place for the morning session, which will run between 9.30am and 11.30am, should email lisa.buck@catchuk.org

Businesses who wish to attend the afternoon session, between 12.30 and 4pm, should book via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/humber-industrial-decarbonisation-conference-exhibition-registration-320688216087