12 episodes

With significant momentum toward a net zero economy and increasingly strident calls for companies to prioritise climate action, sustainability is the next frontier of business transformation. At the Low Carbon Business Podcast, we speak to experts in carbon reduction and pro-environmental business leaders paving the way for a greener future. If you’re looking for support with reducing your footprint, tune in and start your low carbon journey.


Series 1 is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Low Carbon Business Podcast University Of Derby

    • Business

With significant momentum toward a net zero economy and increasingly strident calls for companies to prioritise climate action, sustainability is the next frontier of business transformation. At the Low Carbon Business Podcast, we speak to experts in carbon reduction and pro-environmental business leaders paving the way for a greener future. If you’re looking for support with reducing your footprint, tune in and start your low carbon journey.


Series 1 is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

    Forward-Thinking Farming with Kay Croots

    Forward-Thinking Farming with Kay Croots

    It’s no secret that agriculture is having a massive impact on our planet. In fact, the farming sector accounts for around 10% of all UK emissions. Lowering this carbon footprint requires a change in farming practices and consumption habits, and that’s the focus of Croots Farm Shop and Cafe. The family-run business works hard to reduce food miles, food waste and plastic packaging, as well as rearing grass-fed livestock as a way to offset the carbon they produce. Owner and Managing Director Kay Croots gives us an insight into the ethos of the company and their efforts to protect the environment for future generations.
    Find out more about Croots Cafe and Farm Shop
    https://croots.co.uk/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaycroot/

    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/

    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/


    Useful Links

    Countryland owners association
    https://www.cla.org.uk/

    Farm retail association
    ​​https://farmretail.co.uk/

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/

    Films on Netflix
    https://www.greenupfilmfestival.com/12-best-movies-and-documentaries-on-sustainability-on-netfix/

    • 27 min
    Nature-based Regeneration with Jamie Quince-Starkey

    Nature-based Regeneration with Jamie Quince-Starkey

    The future of conservation relies on an enduring relationship between humankind and the natural world. Those who are more in tune with their natural surroundings are more likely to behave positively towards the environment, wildlife and habitats. Jamie Quince-Starkey is the founder of Down to Earth Derby, a company that seeks to connect people with nature, their community and themselves. Starting out as a small community on a local allotment, the company uses nature-based projects to incite, empower and inspire the people of Derby and beyond. We had a conversation with Jamie about their exciting plans to revolutionise urban environments. 
    Find out more about Down to Earth Derby
    https://www.dtederby.org/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-quince-starkey-35a7a4224/

    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/

    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/

    About the Hosts
    Fred Paterson
    Fred Paterson is Associate Professor for Sustainable Business at University of Derby Business School and leads the Low Carbon Business Network which offers business support to pro-environmental SMEs across the East Midlands. He has responsibility for the Sustainable Business and Clean Growth research group which strives to develop robust, applied, impactful and place-based research and knowledge exchange. Fred also led the Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator and DE-Carbonise Smart Factory project between 2016-2022.
    Jonny Prest
    Jonny Prest is a brand strategist who helps solve problems, unite teams and drive brands forward. By encouraging leaders across the globe to think about and act upon the most important things within their organisations, he explore new ideas and innovates. From environmental to social, his role is to help leaders build brand and communication strategies with purpose. He specialises in enlightened brand strategy. It's brand building with a conscience: remodelling brands to leverage skills and resources for the protection of our planet and its people.
    Useful Links

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 39 min
    Fighting Plastic Waste with Simon Irons

    Fighting Plastic Waste with Simon Irons

    The eye-watering results of Greenpeace’s recent Big Plastic Count show that, of 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging thrown away by households across the country every year, just 12% is recycled here in the UK. We sat down with plastic-free entrepreneur Simon Irons to talk about the big issues. After a career in buying and supply chain management for large businesses such as Asda, Argos and Halfords, Simon turned the skills he learned in the corporate world towards reducing the mass of plastic packaging that families in Derbyshire are throwing away every week from their grocery shop.
    Find out more about Simon
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonirons/

    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/

    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/

    About the Hosts
    Fred Paterson
    Fred Paterson is Associate Professor for Sustainable Business at University of Derby Business School and leads the Low Carbon Business Network which offers business support to pro-environmental SMEs across the East Midlands. He has responsibility for the Sustainable Business and Clean Growth research group which strives to develop robust, applied, impactful and place-based research and knowledge exchange. Fred also led the Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator and DE-Carbonise Smart Factory project between 2016-2022.
    Jonny Prest
    Jonny Prest is a brand strategist who helps solve problems, unite teams and drive brands forward. By encouraging leaders across the globe to think about and act upon the most important things within their organisations, he explore new ideas and innovates. From environmental to social, his role is to help leaders build brand and communication strategies with purpose. He specialises in enlightened brand strategy. It's brand building with a conscience: remodelling brands to leverage skills and resources for the protection of our planet and its people.

    Useful Links

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/

    Films on Netflix
    a...

    • 48 min
    Digital Insight with Richard Garner

    Digital Insight with Richard Garner

    According to a recent poll, only 1 in 10 UK-based SMEs measure their carbon footprint, and 1 in 5 don’t fully understand the term ‘net zero’. It’s clear that more support is needed for businesses, to connect the dots and make going green simple, actionable and affordable. That’s where Zellar comes in. Zellar is a groundbreaking sustainability platform that helps businesses track environmental impact, reduce energy bills, offset carbon emissions, and ultimately fight climate change. For this episode, we met Richard Garner, Zellar’s Head of Partnerships who gave us an insight into the fantastic work being done to support local small businesses in making real, positive change.
    Find out more about Zellar
    https://welcome.zellar.com/
    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/

    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/

    About the Hosts
    Fred Paterson
    Fred Paterson is Associate Professor for Sustainable Business at University of Derby Business School and leads the Low Carbon Business Network which offers business support to pro-environmental SMEs across the East Midlands. He has responsibility for the Sustainable Business and Clean Growth research group which strives to develop robust, applied, impactful and place-based research and knowledge exchange. Fred also led the Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator and DE-Carbonise Smart Factory project between 2016-2022.
    Jonny Prest
    Jonny Prest is a brand strategist who helps solve problems, unite teams and drive brands forward. By encouraging leaders across the globe to think about and act upon the most important things within their organisations, he explore new ideas and innovates. From environmental to social, his role is to help leaders build brand and communication strategies with purpose. He specialises in enlightened brand strategy. It's brand building with a conscience: remodelling brands to leverage skills and resources for the protection of our planet and its people.

    Useful Links

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/

    Films on...

    • 49 min
    Earth-Friendly Homes of the Future with Martin Valentine

    Earth-Friendly Homes of the Future with Martin Valentine

    For decades, the housebuilding sector has given us poorly built houses that are costly to heat and emit high levels of carbon dioxide. Under new government regulations, newbuild homes must produce around 30% less CO2, so we need more innovation in the sector. Positive Homes build energy-efficient, affordable houses and seek to innovate in every area – design, foundations, building fabric, fit out, energy generation, surfacing materials and the environment. 
    Their commitment to research helps them develop better ways to build and heat our homes. Managing Director Martin Valentine spoke to us about their commitment to new methods of building and the positive steps they’re taking to improve the future of housing.
    Find out more about Positive homes
    https://www.positivehomes.co.uk/
    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/
    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/
    About the Hosts
    Fred Paterson
    Fred Paterson is Associate Professor for Sustainable Business at University of Derby Business School and leads the Low Carbon Business Network which offers business support to pro-environmental SMEs across the East Midlands. He has responsibility for the Sustainable Business and Clean Growth research group which strives to develop robust, applied, impactful and place-based research and knowledge exchange. Fred also led the Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator and DE-Carbonise Smart Factory project between 2016-2022.
    Jonny Prest
    Jonny Prest is a brand strategist who helps solve problems, unite teams and drive brands forward. By encouraging leaders across the globe to think about and act upon the most important things within their organisations, he explore new ideas and innovates. From environmental to social, his role is to help leaders build brand and communication strategies with purpose. He specialises in enlightened brand strategy. It's brand building with a conscience: remodelling brands to leverage skills and resources for the protection of our planet and its people.

    Useful Links

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 54 min
    Progressive and Sustainable Manufacturing with Martin Rigley

    Progressive and Sustainable Manufacturing with Martin Rigley

    Global production sectors are responsible for a fifth of carbon emissions and consume a whopping 54% of the world’s energy sources. Many businesses within the manufacturing and engineering sectors are exploring ways to reduce their carbon footprint. 
    Lindhurst Engineering - and their problem-solving approach to business - is paving the way for a more energy efficient industry. The triple bottom line - people, profit and planet - makes Lindhurst an inspiration for businesses considering a more sustainable approach. We spoke to the company’s CEO, Martin Rigley, who has always championed business as a force for good, long before it was considered the thing to do. 
     Martin was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to Business and Innovation.

    Find out more about Lindhurst
    https://lindhurstengineering.co.uk/

    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Derby
    https://www.derby.ac.uk/

    And the Low Carbon Business Network
    https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/

    The DE-Carbonise programme was a collaboration between the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2016-2022.
     
    We'd love to hear more about your business. Please get in touch at
    lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk

    This podcast is produced by Seed
    https://seedcreativity.co.uk/
    About the Hosts
    Fred Paterson
    Fred Paterson is Associate Professor for Sustainable Business at University of Derby Business School and leads the Low Carbon Business Network which offers business support to pro-environmental SMEs across the East Midlands. He has responsibility for the Sustainable Business and Clean Growth research group which strives to develop robust, applied, impactful and place-based research and knowledge exchange. Fred also led the Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator and DE-Carbonise Smart Factory project between 2016-2022.
    Jonny Prest
    Jonny Prest is a brand strategist who helps solve problems, unite teams and drive brands forward. By encouraging leaders across the globe to think about and act upon the most important things within their organisations, he explore new ideas and innovates. From environmental to social, his role is to help leaders build brand and communication strategies with purpose. He specialises in enlightened brand strategy. It's brand building with a conscience: remodelling brands to leverage skills and resources for the protection of our planet and its people.

    Useful Links

    Carbon trust
    https://www.carbontrust.com/

    WWF
    https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

    Zero Carbon Business UK
    https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

    SME Climate Hub
    https://smeclimatehub.org/

    Zero Carbon Pathways
    a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/de-carbonise-project/the-low-carbon-business-network/zero-carbon-pathways-for-smes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 31 min

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