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Businesses and community groups are being invited to help deliver the innovation required to make Sussex net zero.

The Sussex Innovation Forum will launch next month, creating a space for collaboration, exchange and innovation to drive decarbonisation, improve wellbeing and boost economic growth.

Businesses, local government and community groups across Sussex are now being asked for their views to help shape the Forum events.

Establishing the Forum is one of the actions from the , an ambitious programme to develop a resilient, net zero carbon and smart energy system that supports a sustainable and healthy economy, environment and society across the Greater Brighton City Region.

The Energy Plan, which includes proposals to retrofit thousands of homes, use solar power to supply public buildings and the rail network, and harness alternative energy sources such as natural ground heat for homes and hydrogen for transport, was unveiled by the Greater Brighton Economic Board in July 2020 as it bids to “grow back greener” from Covid-19. It was launched alongside the Greater Brighton Water Plan, which includes proposals to achieve water neutrality within a decade and calls for the restoration of kelp beds off our coast to capture carbon.

The Forum will provide an inclusive and informal space for local and regional businesses, councils, organisations and groups to work together on delivering the plans’ ambitious proposals, starting with an interactive online event in November focussing on finance innovation for cross-sector and net zero projects.

By taking part in the Forum, stakeholders will be helping to get sustainability and innovative projects off the ground, help make Greater Brighton carbon neutral by 2030 and improve the wellbeing of local communities.

The Forum is being launched by a coalition of local and regional partners led by the Science Policy Research Unit at the ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ Business School,alongside the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform, Brighton and Hove City Council, Community Energy South, Coast to Capital LEP and others.

Organisers are asking local and regional stakeholders to help shape the events by taking part in a by Sunday 25 October. Questions include the timing of the Forum meetings, the option of targeted support through innovation surgeries and future topics for discussion – including options on scaling up innovation and pilots, developing innovation-driven business models and financing riskier projects.

, from the Science Policy Research Unit at the ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ Business School, said: “The region really needs an informal, inclusive and open space for innovation. The Sussex Innovation Forum offers exactly that. Businesses, community organisations and local authorities are working on ambitious, original projects throughout our community; we want to build on this by bringing them together, giving them a safe space to think innovatively and providing specialist support to help bring their ideas to life.

“It’s important for us to hear from as many businesses, bodies and groups as possible, so we can shape the events to your needs. I’d really encourage organisations with an interest in these issues to get involved through the survey and join our mailing list for more information.”

Ian McAulay, Southern Water’s CEO and Chair of the Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel, said: “Greater Brighton’s Energy and Water plans are ambitious by necessity – and necessity is the mother of invention.

"By bringing businesses, local government, community groups and universities together, the Innovation Forum will harness our collective intellect and insight to generate the ideas needed to grow back greener and deliver the lasting, meaningful change the plans seek.”

The Sussex Innovation Forum survey is open until Sunday 25 October. The organisers are keen to hear from those with a role to play in delivering the Greater Brighton Energy and Water Plans including local authorities, energy providers and utility companies, businesses, and community groups.

Organisations and businesses that would like to get involved or attend future events can join the Forum’s mailing list by completing the survey.

If you would like to learn more about the Sussex Innovation Forum or get involved, please get in touch at: ralitsa.hiteva@sussex.ac.uk.