Societal and Cultural Challenges and Social Innovation Study

Early project stakeholder engagement activities highlighted the Humber's unique sense of place and strong industrial identity, which stakeholders perceived to be undervalued.  Stakeholders largely support the concept of the Humber acting as an exemplar for industrial decarbonisation nationally and globally, recognising the potential significant opportunities of being a leader in industrial decarbonisation, including the need for a large and skilled labour force and export opportunities for UK skilled workers and SMEs to support industrial decarbonisation abroad.  The first stakeholder engagement event held in 2022 created a unique Humber industrial timeline which can be viewed here.

As part of this key research ERM investigated Societal Opportunities, Barriers and Challenges, finding evidence from previous industrial transitions (e.g. industrial revolution) that shows economic interest is a far bigger driver for public support than public policy.  While a shift towards decarbonisation will require regulatory changes, there is a risk of backlash if the distributional economic effects of energy and climate policies are not adequately assessed or addressed.

The recommended activities are based on a theory of change model that seeks to take us from a series of inputs or enabling factors (such as financial investments) through to the four outcomes in a way that supports a just transition to net zero industry and creates the best conditions for public support for industrial decarbonisation in the Humber.  These four key outcomes, shaped by local stakeholders through a visioning exercise, are as follows:

• The Humber becomes a global leader and exemplar for industrial decarbonisation.
• Planning and placemaking across the Humber delivers community benefits from industrial decarbonisation and enhances industrial heritage.
• The Humber has thriving businesses and supports many highly skilled, highly paid jobs, including those necessary to enable industrial decarbonisation.
• Industrial decarbonisation is ‘nature positive’ and strengthens ecosystems services provision.

To read the full report please visit here