A Cornish marine business was celebrated as a Hero of Net Zero at a COP26 awards ceremony today (Nov 1).
Hayle-based surface vessel manufacturer, Unmanned Survey Solutions, was shortlisted in the micro business category for demonstrating a range of measures taken on its journey to net zero, including using product design software to minimise manufacturing waste and emissions, encouraging staff to share lifts and cycle to work and opting for electrical and solar power options in vessel designs.
Nicola Woodley, hydrographic surveyor at Unmanned Survey Solutions, said: “It is a huge accolade to be classed as a Hero to Net Zero. We hope to inspire further behavioural change in our colleagues, customers, and future generations.
“We have always been passionate about climate change, but it wasn’t until we joined the UK Business Climate Hub commitment that we realised how much more we as a company could be doing. Our very own ‘eco warrior’, Fleur Williams aged 10, came up with our eco campaign’s motto and logo ‘Help the Earth, don’t melt the Earth’ which will be used to spread the word.”
Unmanned Survey Solutions won over the competition judges for showing how adopting new software can support a business’ journey to net zero. Judges also praised the business for effectively thinking about how to reduce their employees’ emissions.
The business designs, builds, and operates Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for hydrographic, geophysical, and environmental surveying at sea.
The Heroes of Net Zero competition is part of the Government’s Together for Our Planet campaign, run by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The competition was supported by BT, SSE and NatWest Group, who contributed a prize package worth £4.5k for the winners in the micro business category, PPE manufacturer Design Abled, of Stanmore, in Harrow.
