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In the Highlands and Islands, natural resources are at the heart of the quality of life we enjoy. There are many #netzeroheroes here who are creating change to balance the opportunities these resources offer while protecting them for the future. Meet some of the people here who have:
Some of our most recent net zero hero features
Meet the social enterprise redirecting tonnes of quality, usable items away from landfill to new homes.
Find out how the community has developed a scheme with environmental and community benefits.
Arts, education and science combine to explore food production and construction, with positive benefits for our climate
Businesses and organisations across the region are exploring innovative solutions, creating jobs and developing new skills and expertise to address key climate challenge issues.
A lack of quality fruit and vegetables available locally inspired Nortenergy to develop Polycrub.
The social enterprise set up by the Northmavine Community Development Company operates in the northernmost peninsula of mainland Shetland. Polycrub enables fruit and vegetables to be grown undercover in extreme climates.
Selling Polycrub kits has become a key trading activity for Nortenergy.
CuanTec has developed a world-first method for biologically extracting a naturally occurring polymer, chitin, from waste langoustine shells and converting this to the base material for plastic-free food packaging.
Celtic Crustacean Collaboration
Renewable Parts is a supplier of new and refurbished turbine parts to the global wind energy sector, employing eight staff in Lochgilphead in Argyll.
They are passionate about the circular economy with a strong vision of how to make the industry greener.
Seven of the region’s islands are working together on an international project to lower carbon emissions associated with heat, transport and electricity supplies for residents.
The islands of Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna, Fair Isle, Foula and the peninsula of Knoydart were selected as ‘pioneering islands’ in the Clean Energy for EU Islands programme and have now developed decarbonisation pathways.
Highlands-based Pure Water International is a start-up that works with large-scale industry and private suppliers to help them access clean water.
As part of our Technology Placement Programme two Aero-Mechanical Engineering graduates from Strathclyde University have designed a purification prototype to remove chemicals, medication, plastic fibres and polluted substances from water.
At SAMS, research work is taking place to increase knowledge around seaweed farming.
A better understanding of the production cycle will help create a vibrant industry which is actively helping to lower carbon levels and provide alternative food sources for people, animals and plants.
Hear about the challenges and opportunities available in the Highlands and Islands whilst working towards a net zero Scotland by 2045.
We have a proven track record of world firsts in renewable energy and innovation. This provides a solid foundation for the future and the opportunity to create jobs across the region.
MeyGen has created a tidal stream project at an offshore site between Scotland’s northernmost coast and the island of Stroma. The 3.5km site covers some of the fastest flowing waters in the UK, just 2km from Scotland’s north-east tip.
Here Operations Manager Fraser Johnson explains the role of tidal energy as a renewable source of electricity, what's involved, and how the system generates reliable and predictable power.
GlenWyvis is a community owned distillery on the outskirts of Dingwall in Ross-shire. Setting them apart from other distillers in the region is their commitment to a low carbon footprint and sustainable future.
The distillery is powered by a wind turbine, solar panels and a hydro scheme. Have a look at our short video to find out more.
Tidal power uses the movement in our tides and oceans to generate clean, predictable energy.
Nova Innovation, along with partners, have created an advanced tidal turbine that's robust, reliable and cost competitive with fossil fuels. Hear more about the innovation in our short film.
Orbital Marine Power is an innovative Scottish company with the ambition to help in the fight against climate change by introducing a new form of renewable power to the world.
In 2016 they launched the world’s most powerful tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. Have a look at this video to hear more about the world firsts delivered by Orbital in Scotland and the exciting news of their latest development.
There are many net zero heroes working on ways to reduce our fossil fuel use.
Communities striving for net zero
Find out how the community has developed a scheme with environmental and community benefits.
Heating a community, fighting fuel poverty and saving the planet.
South West Mull & Iona Development was set up in 2010 to help this remote part of Scotland reach its full potential by consulting with the community and focussing on areas of improvement.
Forres based AES Solar was awarded a £55,000 grant from the Scottish Government’s Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund.
Find out how shared ownership in renewables can benefit communities
Amanda and Julian Saurin have developed the Temple Café in South Harris as a place to celebrate local island produce. Their wide range of products are made by hand, and an expansion supported by HIE for a new building will give them the space they need to launch a coffee roastery, smokery, for food preparation, and to expand their local drinks range.
Meet Amanda in our film to find out more about her efforts to support a circular economy.
In August a pioneering Orkney based project celebrated the first hybrid electric flight in Scotland across the Pentland Firth between Kirkwall and Wick John O’Groats airports. Aviation company Ampaire’s modified six-seat Cessna 337 runs on battery power and a conventional combustion engine.
The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) is a £3.7m partnership project to develop a sustainable aviation programme which could transform short flight travel between remote communities.
The UK’s first operationally-based, low-carbon aviation test centre, the project is a partnership led by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, and including HIE, and is part funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Meet some of the projects greening our homes, businesses and community spaces
What does a community-led tourism project look like?
Though our innovation support, we've helped Gro for Good, a community interest company in Dornoch, grow, collaborate and secure funding. Read their story and find out if we can help you too.
HIE support for new Benbecula distillery and visitor centre being developed with green tech and creating 22 jobs.
An investment of £25,000 has been confirmed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for a community-led green recovery project in the Orkney island of Shapinsay.
Businesses and organisations involved in food sourcing and production
Arts, education and science combine to explore food production and construction, with positive benefits for our climate
Find out more about aquaponics and how Gro for Good benefited from HIE innovation support in developing its local, nutritional food production.
People on Arran are set to have more access to fresh local produce in a project that will also help to create two new jobs on the island with financial support from HIE.
HIE supports Argyll-based business Crùbag through its innovation service.
Hear how the community of Westray use their wind turbine to facilitate other services supporting locals and improving their quality of life.
New technologies are improving our capacity all the time to change how we live and work.
When COVID-19 struck, the West Highland Museum in Fort William knew it would need to adapt in order to survive.
You can have both a career and the lifestyle you want by working from home in our region
We're renowned for our creative culture, and are trailblazers in teaching practical skills online
Find out how NatureScot overcame limitations of motion-activated camera traps using artificial intelligence (AI).
Find out how we're helping community groups to use technology to protect and promote our heritage
A graduate placement programme is enabling a Highland bakery to roll out ground-breaking technology to reduce waste and boost profits.
HIE helps Russwood develop its business through data driven decisions
