Building on international collaboration between South Africa and Teesside University

A senior figure who leads the advice to the South African government on climate change has paid a visit to Teesside University to strengthen links and find out more about work being carried out at the University’s Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.

Dr Crispian Olver advises on the pathway to net zero in South Africa and is Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission, an independent multi-stakeholder advisory body established by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

Facilitated through the UK2070 Commission, an independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the UK, Dr Olver’s visit further strengthens links between Teesside University and experts in South Africa.

During the visit, Dr Olver had the opportunity to meet Teesside University academics and tour the £13.1m Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), which is positioning Teesside firmly at the heart of the UK's green industrial revolution and supporting the ongoing drive for clean energy and sustainability.

Opening earlier this year and with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, the NZIIC is a unique hub for industrial decarbonisation and a national centre of excellence for net zero technologies.

It has already forged a number of strategic partnerships and innovative research collaborations, aligning the expertise of the University with industry need and government priorities.

Michael Henson, Honorary Professor at Teesside University, UK2070 Commissioner and Chair of the Teesside Taskforce, led the visit along with Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and Dr Gari Harris, Director of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.

Michael Henson said: “I had the pleasure of leading a UK2070 mission (which included Teesside University colleagues) to South Africa earlier in the year to champion the role of the Tees Valley and Teesside University in green industries.

“It was fantastic to be able to bring Dr Olver to Teesside, to showcase the University’s new facility and significant expertise which is supporting the region’s ambitions to lead the UK’s green industrial revolution. “I look forward to building on this visit and further strengthening links between the University, the UK2070 Commission and the Presidential Climate Commission as we continue to seek solutions to deep social and economic challenges.”

Reflecting on the return visit, Dr Olver said: “My visit to Teesside University has been absolutely fascinating. We visited the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, which I have to say is a very impressive achievement. It’s exploring all the areas of technological innovation which are needed on this pathway to decarbonise and ultimately get to net zero emissions.

“Hydrogen technology, battery technologies, carbon capture and storage are all immediately pressing issues that we have to grapple as a world.

“For us in South Africa, we are a developing country and it’s very important to link with all of the academic institutions both in the global south, here in the UK and the countries of the north. For us, the commonwealth is a very important network to use. It’s an asset that the UK and South Africa can leverage in deepening academic operations.”

Dr Olver has served in the South African government in various capacities, including crafting climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as leading South Africa’s hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Dr Gari Harris, Director of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dr Olver to the NZIIC and demonstrate first-hand some of the fantastic work that we are doing and the collaborative opportunities that are available.

“We are working hard to establish the University and the Tees Valley region as a globally competitive hub for industry, research and innovation in green technologies and we are committed to finding new and disruptive technologies to help forge a smarter, greener industrial economy.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in South Africa and driving forward activity that will help deliver industry-focused solutions to combatting the climate emergency.”

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