A new campaign for the Humber region in the north of England has been launched to win government support for developing the UK’s first “net zero’ carbon cluster ahead of its 2040 target.

The campaign partnership, which includes CCUS Network members Drax and Equinor, aims to protect jobs within major industrial and manufacturing industries across the region by making the Humber the world’s first zero carbon economy and encouraging future global investment in the region.

The Humber is the most carbon intensive industrial region in the UK and is, according to the partners, best placed to become the UK’s first net zero carbon cluster and support the wider decarbonisation of the North of England.

Feasibility work is underway to show how pioneering carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) technology can contribute to developing a net zero carbon economy while providing the foundation for the roll-out of low-carbon hydrogen as a fuel across the wider region.

Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax Group said: “By working together the Humber region can become the world’s first zero carbon economy and thrive again as a British industrial powerhouse and be at the forefront of the fight against the climate crisis. We can help Britain become a world leader in emerging technologies like carbon capture, preserving and creating jobs, and rebalancing the economy.”

Irene Rummelhoff, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Midstream & Processing at Equinor added: “The potential of this project is substantial for the Humber and the wider region in decarbonising multiple sectors of the economy. It can also act as a catalyst for clean growth for the UK and other countries.”

Read the campaign press release here and find out more about the campaign itself at ZeroCarbonHumber.co.uk