Saturday, 04 October 2025
In a landmark move for sustainability and economic innovation, the UK’s first Institute of Carbonomics has officially launched at the University of Derby. The Institute is a pioneering partnership between the University, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and McDonald’s UK & Ireland, and is designed to support industry, government, and academia in accelerating the transition to a […]
In a landmark move for sustainability and economic innovation, the UK’s first Institute of Carbonomics has officially launched at the University of Derby. The Institute is a pioneering partnership between the University, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and McDonald’s UK & Ireland, and is designed to support industry, government, and academia in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Carbonomics is the study of the economic implications of carbon emissions and the development of strategies to manage these impacts. It focusses on understanding the carbon footprint of various industries and seeks to create economically viable solutions that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. By combining insights from economics, environmental science, and sustainable practices, Carbonomics aims to provide a framework for industries to transition towards greener methodologies whilst remaining economically profitable.
The Institute of Carbonomics is a first-of-its-kind research and innovation centre dedicated to reshaping how businesses reduce emissions. It focuses on real-world carbon reduction solutions by combining economic modelling, industry collaboration, and supply chain transformation to support the UK’s net-zero by 2050 goal.
The Institute will serve as a global catalyst, helping businesses and governments work together to reduce carbon emissions while remaining economically competitive.
“Carbonomics is more than an emerging academic field, it is a vital framework for how industries must evolve and innovate to succeed in low-carbon economies,” said Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby.
The Institute has been established through a unique collaboration between:
Two major academic appointments will lead the Institute’s work:
Their research will contribute to industry transformation by helping:
“This partnership connects the real economy with financial markets,” said Gordon Bennett, Managing Director at ICE.
“Through our Plan for Change strategy, our ambition is to achieve net zero emissions in the UK and Ireland, from farms to restaurants, by 2040. This groundbreaking partnership with the University of Derby allows us to to combine academic excellence with our industry expertise to develop solutions which will help us achieve that target and make measurable progress towards a sustainable, fairer future for everyone,” added Andrew Moys, VP Impact at McDonald’s UK & Ireland.
The Institute is based in the Cavendish Building, the University of Derby’s new £75 million academic centre located in Derby city centre. It also houses the Derby International Business School and features:
The building was officially opened by Lord Burlington, Chancellor of the University, and Professor Kathryn Mitchell, alongside retail entrepreneur and TV personality Theo Paphitis, who has also been named a Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship.
With the UK government committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, the timing of this institute is significant. Businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining economic viability. The Institute of Carbonomics offers a structured, collaborative approach to achieve this.
Unlike traditional sustainability research centres, the Institute is embedded in the manufacturing heartland of the UK. This location reflects its mission: to ensure carbon reduction happens not just in theory, but in practice.
“Achieving net zero demands a united effort, and this Institute embodies the shared ambition to make the UK a world leader in this field,” said Professor Mitchell.
The Institute of Carbonomics represents a transformative model for how universities and industries can work together to solve pressing climate challenges. By uniting academic research with practical business needs, it aims to drive real-world, scalable solutions that benefit not just the UK, but the global economy.
With its combination of cutting-edge research, industry-backed insight, and state-of-the-art facilities, the Institute is well-positioned to lead the way in making carbon reduction both achievable and economically sustainable.
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