This application is to help accelerate the rapid de-carbonisation of manufacturing supply chains, allowing organisations to achieve carbon reduction ambitions by initiating changes in their operations and supply chains, and contribute to UK government Net Zero targets.

This application is to support the development and testing of prototype carbon footprint calculator tools which specialise in the manufacturing supply chain. The grant is important because it allows us to complete this critical project faster than than would otherwise be possible, and in line with UK government de-carbonisation targets.

CarbonQuota was launched in June 2020 following extensive R&D. Our work is currently being undertaken manually, using Excel-based methodologies that have been in place in the industry for 20+ years. We have identified that this process can be streamlined through technology, with experts curating toolsets to which scientists can apply carbon analysis on a much larger scale than is possible today.

Our project therefore builds upon our existing capability which is calculating carbon footprints for the manufacturing sector, providing carbon reduction advice and measurement, and reporting and certifying. We will automate the processes to create actionable insight which identifies and delivers de-carbonisation opportunities in the print and packaging sector.

Our focus is on B2B carbon calculators, within manufacturing supply chains -- specifically the print and packaging sector. There is evidence that the sector is prepared to invest in such schemes, which this project exploits. However, the outcome can be applied to many other sectors in future phases.

It is an innovative project because we blend two skill sets in order to accelerate de-carbonisation in the supply chain -- and join them together via automation. The first skill set is experts in the supply chain, and secondly via carbon scientists who understand how to calculate carbon footprints.

This proposition of blending carbon science with industry subject matter expertise allows us to be more efficient when the automation layer is added.

A further innovation is in uniting the carbon reduction ambition of the corporates with real action in the supply chain. Currently, there is a disconnect between large corporations that wish to de-carbonise their supply chain, and the ability of many of their suppliers to calculate and reduce their own carbon footprint. Our project will streamline that process, enabling a significantly higher proportion of supply chains to reduce their carbon footprint.

This project will also deliver education and transfer of skills in our customer base.