The Isle of Wight Council has signed a groundbreaking partnership deal with the University of Southampton to help realise its Eco Island ambitions.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the prestigious Russell Group University and the council will see the council and academics working together to reduce the Island’s carbon footprint.

The University’s School of Civil Engineering and the Environment hosts world-leading teams in the key areas of renewable energy as well as transportation, waste management and coastal engineering.

The joint working relationship between the council and the University will give businesses and entrepreneurs from the Isle of Wight and beyond an opportunity to come up with solutions to fulfil the Eco Island themes: the development of renewable energy resources, reduction, reduction in waste and optimised transport and water infrastructure.  The work will also address economics, social inclusion and behaviour studies to achieve eco living on the island.

These studies will also provide the opportunity for the Council and the Island Strategic Partnership to measure the impact and success of the Eco Island vision over time.

In addition, the University has centres of excellence in politics, management and social policy which will work with the council to develop strategies to support Island residents and businesses to achieve the exciting Eco Island vision by 2020.

Isle of Wight Council chief executive Joe Duckworth and leader Cllr David Pugh will sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the council with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham signing on behalf of the University of Southampton.

Cllr Pugh said:

“Southampton is a world-class University which has a deserved reputation for excellence in developing renewable energy technologies, transport and waste management.

“This memorandum following on from our immensely successful Eco Island conference will serve to cement the excellent working relationship we have developed with the university and will help to further our long term ambition of making the Isle of Wight carbon neutral by 2020.”

Professor Wakeham, added:

“The University is looking forward to working with the Isle of Wight and supporting the exciting Eco Island initiative. We hope to be able to help the Island make great strides towards sustainability, particularly in the areas of transport, housing, water, waste and energy; and in doing so to develop new science, technology and social understanding that can be adopted elsewhere in the UK and worldwide.”

Eco Island is the Island’s initiative to become the greenest place in the UK, self-sufficent in renewable electricity by 2020 while also creating wealth and opportunity for residents.

IWC Media Gavin Foster: Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.