Southampton Joins The Solent Cluster Decarbonization Initiative

Southampton Football Club has announced its membership of The Solent Cluster, the first major decarbonisation initiative to substantially reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households across the Solent and the south coast of England.

The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration of international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions, with decades of proven expertise in carbon capture and storage and hydrogen technology.

The club signed up as a member at the launch event alongside founding members the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and University of Southampton.

This effort could position the Solent at the centre of low-carbon fuel production in the UK and make a major contribution to the country’s Net Zero ambitions by 2050. The project could capture approximately three million metric tons of CO2 every year.

Caroline Carlin, Sustainability and Operations Manager for Southampton Football Club, said of the initiative: “As a club, we are fully committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our fans and community.

“We are proud to join The Solent Cluster and stand ready to play our part in shaping the journey of reducing carbon emissions right across the Solent and the south coast.”

Anne-Marie Mountifield, chief executive of Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Decarbonisation is at the heart of our economic strategy for the area and the creation of The Solent Cluster will sit alongside our ambition to pioneer approaches to climate change adaptation and decarbonization, linked to our coastal setting, and establishing real expertise which other regions – nationally and globally – can learn from.

“The Solent Cluster will provide a platform for the excellent work that is already taking place and the partnership has a unique opportunity to affect real change in energy production and consumption, establishing the Solent and wider region as a leading centre for low carbon investment now and in the future.”

The Solent Cluster could enable organisations to bid for government investment support for projects to decarbonize the Solent region and realise the benefits that can flow to the region’s businesses and communities.