BT has announced the next phase of its Green Tech Innovation Platform – which sees the company collaborating with scale-ups to develop breakthrough tech to support the race to Net Zero.
The Green Tech Innovation Platform, launched in 2020, was awarded the Responsible Business Alliance Innovation Award at COP26 last year and has already fostered a series of successful green innovation partnerships. These are focused on developing solutions to help public sector organisations in reaching their net zero carbon emissions targets.
BT is already supporting Glasgow based scale-up iOpt on using its Internet of Things (IoT) platform which enables real-time information and alerts on the condition of properties for social housing providers like housing associations and local councils. BT is also working with scale-up Everimpact to deploy environment monitoring solutions for local authorities to help reach their sustainability goals, with a proof of concept to be rolled out via BT’s new digital Street Hub units this spring.
The second phase will develop new digital solutions to support Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturing businesses as they seek to adopt more sustainable manufacturing processes. The Manufacturing Technology Centre is collaborating with BT on the new phase of the project, bringing its sector experience and expertise to the ongoing development of the Green Tech Innovation Platform. BT is also continuing its work with Plug and Play, the world’s leading innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley, to support the selection of scale-ups.
The FMCG sector is currently the largest manufacturing market in the UK, accounting for 14% of all goods manufactured in the country. A recent report commissioned by BT and developed by Accenture has forecast that ICT, including 5G, can help reduce global carbon emissions from the manufacturing sector by 13% by 2030 which is equivalent to1.3 gigatons of CO2e. The Green Tech Innovation Platform aims to explore how advanced digital technologies such as IoT, Edge, Data, AI and 5G can play a critical role in helping manufacturing customers in their transition to Net Zero.
Joseph Darlington, Director of Technology Sectors at Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
We recognise manufacturing has a vital role in driving down carbon emissions. Being part of BT’s Green Tech Innovation Platform initiative is an excellent opportunity for the MTC to contribute to the development of digital green technology and the technology supply chain we believe will be transformational to the manufacturing sector.
Kieran Borrett, Director UK at Plug and Play
We are proud to partner with BT Group, helping them to engage and partner with the start-ups and scale-ups that are crucial to the transition to Net Zero. As a partner of Plug and Play Sustainability, BT Group will combine their knowledge and scale with the most promising technologies and business models to build a more sustainable future.
