Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory impact and case studies
Sustainable Shipping event highlights
Opportunities for maritime decarbonisation in the Liverpool City Region
Academics, industry professionals and regional partners came together at LJMU to explore the latest research, innovation and collaborative opportunities supporting the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
Hosted at LJMU and supported by LCEI, N0MES, MaLaMi, LiRICS and Mersey Maritime, the Sustainable Shipping – Decarbonising the Maritime Sector event showcased research and industry initiatives that are helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future for shipping and maritime operations across the Liverpool City Region.
A key message emerging from the event was the vital role that maritime decarbonisation will play in achieving wider regional net zero ambitions.
As one guest put it - “You can’t decarbonise this city without decarbonising the maritime sector.”
The event highlighted how collaboration between universities, businesses, public sector organisations and industry bodies is driving innovation and accelerating the development of practical solutions to reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
Research and innovation in action
Attendees heard from AHT Group, who presented work undertaken through their secondment with the Maritime Last Mile (MaLaMi) project. The presentation explored research into the feasibility of adapting the company’s engine-cleaning technology for maritime applications.
Representatives from Mersey Maritime shared findings from their industry-led project, Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region. The presentation provided an overview of the region’s maritime innovation landscape, highlighting strengths, current activity and opportunities for future growth, investment and collaboration.
The event also provided a platform for early career researchers to showcase their work. N0MES PhD researchers Stevie Howe and Evan Nguyen presented research focused on air quality warning management systems and the impacts of climate change on coastal railway infrastructure in Cumbria, demonstrating the breadth of research contributing to climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr Simone Durr (LJMU), who shared insights into research on biofouling and anti-fouling materials. The work explores how advances in materials science could help improve vessel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and support the wider transition to a more sustainable maritime industry.
Key discussion themes
Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions about some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector, including:
- how the sector can mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change
- the importance of government funding and grant support in accelerating innovation and enabling the testing of emerging technologies
- infrastructure challenges associated with shipping electrification and the transition to cleaner energy sources
- the role of research, collaboration and knowledge exchange in supporting progress towards net zero
Speakers and attendees emphasised that achieving long-term decarbonisation will require coordinated action across industry, academia and government, alongside continued investment in innovation and infrastructure.
Looking ahead
Participants highlighted the importance of regional innovation ecosystems and funding opportunities in supporting maritime decarbonisation, while recognising the value of complementary initiatives such as MaLaMi and N0MES in creating new opportunities for collaboration.
There was also consensus that significant investment in port, energy and transport infrastructure will be critical if the maritime sector is to meet its long-term sustainability goals and contribute meaningfully to wider net zero targets.
The event demonstrated the strength of the Liverpool City Region's maritime research and innovation community and reinforced the importance of partnership working in addressing the environmental challenges facing the sector.
Sustainable Foundations – Decarbonising the Construction Sector
Hosted by LCEI and LiRICS
LCEI, together with LiRICS, welcomed businesses from the construction sector to LJMU for their Sustainable Foundations workshop.
The event brought together industry and academics to discuss challenges and solutions for SMEs in construction and built environment, as the sector transitions towards a more sustainable future.
Guests heard from Dr Colm Bowe, head of LJMU’s Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS) and the Natural Capital Hub at LJMU, who discussed the ‘green economy’ – how investing in nature boosts economic growth. He explored how businesses can get involved in schemes to support biodiversity, alongside nature as critical infrastructure in building resilience to climate extremes.
Matt Breakwell, Director of Sales and ESG at Kimpton Ltd, talked about the environmental and regulatory landscape shaping the sector right now, and Nia Prys-Williams, Head of Environmental Sustainability and Energy Services at LJMU, outlined how the university has addressed biodiversity and decarbonisation across its buildings and operations, and the progress made towards LJMU’s Net Zero 2035 goal.
Finally, guests heard from Dr Fiona Borthwick, Subject Head, School of Engineering and Built Environment, highlighting the potential of industrialised construction, digital systems and modular building techniques to address future housing needs.
Guests were taken on a tour of Byrom Street facilities – including engineering workshops, BEST labs, the Maritime Simulator and BRE test houses – to showcase the breadth of research capabilities in HEI and how it can be applied to problem-solving in industry.
LCEI Project Manager Lesley Lambert said: “The construction sector is facing significant challenges as it adapts to new environmental requirements, technological advances and changing regulations. This workshop provided a valuable opportunity for SMEs to hear from experts across academia and industry, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to support their decarbonisation journey.
“One of the strengths of LCEI is bringing together businesses and researchers to tackle real-world challenges collaboratively. The discussions throughout the day highlighted the importance of innovation, knowledge exchange and partnership working in helping the sector meet the challenges of a changing sector and build resilience for the future.”
Head of LiRICS Colm Bowe said: “It is only through working with businesses and other external partners that we will create the opportunities and address the challenges in the transition to a thriving net zero and nature positive economy.
“At LiRICS we are keen to bring expertise from across subject areas from science, technology, arts, business and education to support innovation in construction and other sectors and help solve the tricky questions. By supporting innovation we can help to ease the transition to sustainable practice being business as usual for every organisation.
“This event is a great example of how we can grow our existing strength at LJMU in collaborative and externally facing research and knowledge exchange activity across the institution.”
LCEI and LiRICS will continue to develop links with industry and keep the conversation with businesses open – fostering collaboration, innovation and decarbonisation.
LCEI shows its Green Impact
LCEI took part in the SOS UK Green Impact Challenge 2026 at Liverpool John Moores University.
It was a close-run competition between teams within the university, but LCEI was delighted to come top of the leaderboard and take home a Gold Award.
Using the Green Impact online toolkit, LCEI completed various activities to improve the sustainability of our team and working environment.
We tightened up green practices in the office – from logging fridge temperatures, conducting a recycling audit and unplugging devices when not in use, to reducing food and water waste and using wi-fi instead of mobile data where possible.
The team’s wellbeing was also boosted – we took nature walks, introduced desk plants, took the stairs instead of the lift (getting our steps in!) and cleared out the office.
LCEI is an environmentally aware team, and we all mostly walk or take public transport to work, but the Green Impact campaign pushed us even more to leave the car at home.
We ensure our events are as sustainable as possible, encourage visitors to use green travel methods, and seek out sustainable materials in our promotional items. We use reusable cups and dishes and monitor lights and temperature in the office to reduce energy use.
Congratulations to our researcher Dr Cameron Kelly for receiving a special Sustainability Heros award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in leading and driving our Green Impact activities. Thank you, Cam, for your dedication and enthusiasm throughout the challenge and across our project.
We're also proud to have received awards for Environmental Improvement and Community Action.
These awards celebrate not only our efforts as a team, but also our work supporting businesses across the region to reduce carbon emissions and progress towards net zero.
LCEI helps businesses become more sustainable - and we believe it's just as important that we continue to improve our own environmental performance too.
We were thrilled to support this great initiative, and to take home a few awards as well. We look forward to taking part next year and pushing our sustainability even further.