‘The Humber has a golden opportunity to lead the world’s drive to net zero’

‘OPPORTUNITY’: Roger Marsh OBE

A prominent business leader has said the Humber has a golden opportunity to lead the world in the drive to a zero carbon economy.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the influential NP11 collaboration of all the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across the North of England, has outlined his vision for the Humber to be a global decarbonisation pioneer.

He said the region had the “assets, ambition, willpower and strategy” to play a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency while also driving forward the post-Covid economic recovery.

“The Humber has acknowledged strengths and further potential in energy production and industrial processes, including chemical refinery, clean energy, hydrogen production and carbon capture,” said Mr Marsh.

“It also trades with the world through its ports at Immingham, Goole, Hull and Grimsby. Together, these factors mean it is a region primed to position itself at the forefront of the global transition to a zero carbon economic model.

“It is clear the decarbonisation drive taking place in the Humber can set a precedent for the rest of the UK and the world to follow.”

Mr Marsh, who is also Chair of the Leeds City Region LEP and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Strategic Oversight Board, was speaking ahead of a high-profile event aimed at helping secure billions of pounds of investment in transformational projects around the Humber.

The event – The Humber: An Innovation and Investment Hot Spot – will showcase these projects and explore the region’s role in driving the green economy recovery, both nationally and internationally.

Mr Marsh is one of the speakers at the event, organised by Marketing Humber, and will focus on the important role the Humber has in the levelling up and recovery agendas.

He said recent developments, such as confirmation of the Humber Freeport, as well as the projects to be outlined at Thursday’s event, will ensure “all eyes will be on the Humber”.

WORLD LEADER: The Humber can become a ‘global decarbonisation pioneer’. Picture by Tom Arran Commercial Photography

 “With its potential for major investments into clean growth infrastructure, all eyes will be on the Humber to see where it can take us,” said Mr Marsh.

“This was further highlighted by last week’s approval of the Humber Freeport, which was confirmed in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget speech and will attract significant investment in decarbonisation, potentially establishing the region as a manufacturing hub for net zero technologies.”

Mr Marsh will be joined at the digital event by fellow speakers Katie Hedges, Head of Membership and Low Carbon Strategy at the industry-led CATCH partnership; Patrick Pogue, Group Commercial Development Director for px Group; and Finbarr Dowling, Director of Localisation for Siemens Mobility.

They will each discuss their own organisation’s major projects and how the drive towards net zero provides the Humber with the perfect catalyst for economic recovery and growth.

The event will include the launch of a platform to attract investment for ambitious decarbonisation projects including Humber Zero, Lagoon Hull and H2H Saltend.

Mr Marsh said: “This event will show we have the assets, ambition, willpower and strategy to succeed.

“It is crucial we continue making the case that the Northern Powerhouse offers solutions not only for the rest of the country, but for the sustainability of our planet.”

Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Marketing Humber, urged other business leaders to register.

She said: “This important event will provide attendees with an insight into the exciting decarbonisation investment opportunities available to them across the Humber, which will be crucial to the region’s green economic recovery.

“I would encourage potential investors and anyone who cares about the future direction of the Humber to book their place.”

The Humber: An Innovation and Investment Hot Spot takes place 8.30am-10.15am on Thursday, March 11. To register for the free event, visit www.marketinghumber.com