A coastal energy partnership has launched in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with the aim of working together for investment and collaboration to support a healthy environment.
Bournemouth University, alongside key leaders and regional businesses, signed a Charter to commit to work together to attract new funding, cut emissions and promote the region as an area of opportunity for energy and sustainability projects.
The partnership has been convened by Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, and other signatories included BCP Council, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD), Health Sciences University (HSU), Bournemouth and Poole College and AFC Bournemouth.
Tom Hayes MP said, “The climate emergency can feel huge, but we have the opportunity to change things locally. I know we have what it takes to lead, with local organisations and employers who share a clear sense of the opportunities green investment can bring to town.
“Having a place for us to come together and draw on one another’s experience and expertise is critical to attracting investment, growing green jobs, and building a cleaner, more secure future for our town.”
The Coastal Energy Partnership will continue to work together a forum to drive change and idea generation to seek shared opportunities, support green initiatives and protect and preserve a sustainable regional environment.
BU’s Sustainability Manager Lois Betts signed the Charter on behalf of BU and said, “We are proud to stand alongside colleagues in our region to do more to make a positive contribution to our local environment. We are so lucky to be surrounded by the coastal and natural beauty around us and it is good to be working together to present a stronger opportunity for the investment which our region needs.
“We are well positioned to support this work and are recognised as leaders in sustainability, recently judged 8th in the UK in the THE Impact Rankings 2025, which measures universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Coastal Energy Summit, where the partnership launched, was chaired by Tom Hayes MP, with an address by Paul Addison, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Great British Energy. Partners at the event shared their own current work in driving energy initiatives and their work in sustainability.
For more information about BU’s sustainability work, visit: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/sustainability
