‘Oh Yes, Net-Zero’: Reckitt launches decarbonisation ‘living lab’ in Hull

Reckitt will continue to utilise 100% renewable energy at its Science and Innovation Centre in Hull and in all of its manufacturing sites globally

Reckitt, which is the owner of household brands such as Dettol, has launched its “Oh Yes! Net-Zero” initiative in the heart of the Humber region, where it is based. The initiative follows a “living labs” approach whereby businesses, households and local authorities all implement a range of low-carbon initiatives to outline the tangible benefits of reaching net-zero emissions.

More than 35 businesses and community representatives in Hull will take part in the approach, with the results to be shared and potentially adopted by businesses and the community.

COP26 President, Alok Sharma said:  “This is a unique campaign, illustrating the action we need to see as the UK becomes carbon neutral by 2050. It brings private and public sectors together, and asks every individual, household and organisation to help and make a difference across the Hull and Humberside areas.

“I look forward to seeing their success in driving down emissions, raising innovation and hope to see their ideas being replicated across the UK.”

The initiative will see Reckitt and other participants develop an economic model to support decarbonisation. The company also claims that as it brings together the public and private sector it can help support the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.

Specifically, Reckitt will continue to utilise 100% renewable energy at its Science and Innovation Centre in Hull and in all of its manufacturing sites globally. This, in turn, builds towards a commitment to generate 50% of its net revenue from “more sustainable products” by 2030.

Reckitt, the Hull City Council and 1851 Trust have all committed to empowering 13 local secondary schools with information and knowledge to educate on the climate crisis, through a “protect our future” programme. Elsewhere, Ideal Heating and Hull City Council will conduct studies on air source heat pumps to reduce escalating energy bills associated with heating.

With the Humber region being the highest emitting industrial cluster in the UK, other vital components of the Hull community will also attempt to decarbonise.

The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has pledged to reach net-zero by 2030. This includes a £4.5m solar “field of dreams” that will power the entirety of the local Castle Hill Hospital.

Elsewhere, Hull City Council has invested £56m into carbon-neutral projects, as well as converting its 300-strong fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.

In 2019, Drax, Equinor and National Grid published a roadmap fleshing out their plans to create the world’s first zero-carbon industrial hub in the Humber region by 2040.

The roadmap sets out proposals to build a demonstration hydrogen production facility in the region by 2025 and install carbon capture equipment on one of the four biomass units at Drax’s power station in Selby two years later.

Matt Mace