Driving green growth of key sectors<\/h2>\n
NERC science delivers commercial solutions that support an environmentally responsible and economically viable transition to a greener economy. These solutions enable sectors such as clean energy, digital and advanced manufacturing to develop faster, with lower costs and risks.<\/p>\n
Key impact example: offshore wind<\/h3>\n
Offshore wind is an engine of growth for coastal regions and a key growth sector in the government\u2019s industrial strategy. UK offshore wind provided 17% of total UK electricity in 2024, supporting 32,000 jobs across the UK, predicted to grow to 100,000 by 2030.<\/p>\n
NERC funding delivered through our research centres has been an important factor in the development of the industry, delivering \u00a33.3 billion in economic value.\u202fCommercial pathways such as consultancy, tools and services reduce costs and risks across offshore wind development and operation. For example:<\/p>\n
- \n
- BGS\u2019s marine geoscience<\/a> provide detailed mapping and understanding of the UK\u2019s seabed geology is used by all stakeholders, from government bodies to developers, in the initial stages of wind farm development<\/li>\n
- the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU)<\/a>, SMRU Consulting<\/a>\u200b, and UKCEH\u2019s seal and seabird population datasets are crucial to understanding the potential adverse impacts from offshore wind developments, and are therefore to environmental impact assessment and consenting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
See an economic analysis of NERC\u2019s impact on offshore wind<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Enhancing security and resilience<\/h2>\n
Commercialisation of NERC science also increases the security of our economy and our lives. Spin-out companies, commercial services and licensed products reduce costs, minimise damage for trillions of pounds of assets, and avoid disruption for governments, businesses and citizens.<\/p>\n
Key impact example: flood prediction<\/h3>\n
Flooding costs the UK economy \u00a32.2 billion a year, projected to rise by 27% by 2050 due to climate change. Two NERC spin-out companies have developed world-leading high resolution flood modelling services that help businesses and governments to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- protect critical infrastructure<\/li>\n
- reduce risk<\/li>\n
- identify market opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The University of Bristol spin-out Fathom\u2019s<\/a> cutting-edge flood mapping products help clients like Microsoft, Network Rail and AXA insurance and the World Bank to price products and manage flood and climate risk<\/p>\n
The University of Loughborough spin-out Previsico\u2019s<\/a> surface water forecasting tool help insurers and asset managers prepare for extreme weather and mitigate damage to infrastructure. Customers include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- National Grid<\/li>\n
- BT<\/li>\n
- Network Rail<\/li>\n
- Zurich Insurance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Driving responsible innovation for everyday life<\/h2>\n
From cleaner air to healthier rivers, to resilient peatlands, NERC science delivers commercial products and tools that deliver growth and jobs. They also champion more sustainable business practices, products and services that benefit people and the planet.<\/p>\n
Key impact example: new products<\/h3>\n
Key impacts include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- air quality monitoring: licensee Alphasense Ltd<\/a> launched devices mapping pollution hotspots, now used in 70 plus countries to improve urban air quality and health<\/li>\n
- biopesticides: licensed research enabled biotechnology companies to develop and sell environmentally-friendly biopesticides, such as Met52<\/a>, protecting crops without harming beneficial insects. The research was funded by NERC, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and others.<\/li>\n
- peatland restoration: BeadaMoss Ltd<\/a> sells more than \u00a31 million in Sphagnum moss propagules annually to restore peatlands as a valuable carbon store and wildlife habitat. The products were developed with support from NERC, BBSRC, Innovate UK and others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Skilled people driving commercialisation<\/h2>\n
NERC investment in training delivers highly skilled experts who can spot real-world applications of environmental science. Each year, NERC investments PhDs worth around \u00a334 million, and funds around 280 new studentships. Of these, 25% are research collaborations with industry, business, or public sector partners. Three NERC spin-outs lead or partner on UKRI Future Leadership Fellowships<\/a>: DEScycle<\/a>, Minviro<\/a>, Simplifai systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Professor Tim Wright<\/h3>\n
Innovating ground-movement services for resilient national infrastructure<\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NERC-031225-TimWright.jpg\")
Professor Tim Wright. Credit Tim Wright<\/p><\/div>\n
Tim is a co-director of COMET<\/a>, NERC’s Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tectonics, and is co-founder and director at SatSense Ltd<\/a>. The University of Leeds spin-out is a seven-figure turnover business with global clients and 15 employees.<\/p>\n
SatSense delivers satellite-derived ground stability insight to support insurers, developers, energy, utilities, and transport networks to manage their infrastructure. The company continues to expand, recently announcing a multi-million, multi-year monitoring contract with Network Rail.<\/p>\n
Tim\u2019s NERC-supported Masters, PhD, and Fellowship honed his skills in translating research into real-world solutions. He helped SatSense adopt cheaper, faster and better analysis of assets for clients.<\/p>\n
Dr Carol Sparling<\/h3>\n
Pioneering sea mammal research and capability to support marine renewable sector growth<\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NERC-031225-CarolSparling-150x150.jpg\")
Dr Carol Sparling. Credit Carol Sparling<\/p><\/div>\n
- biopesticides: licensed research enabled biotechnology companies to develop and sell environmentally-friendly biopesticides, such as Met52<\/a>, protecting crops without harming beneficial insects. The research was funded by NERC, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and others.<\/li>\n
- air quality monitoring: licensee Alphasense Ltd<\/a> launched devices mapping pollution hotspots, now used in 70 plus countries to improve urban air quality and health<\/li>\n
- the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU)<\/a>, SMRU Consulting<\/a>\u200b, and UKCEH\u2019s seal and seabird population datasets are crucial to understanding the potential adverse impacts from offshore wind developments, and are therefore to environmental impact assessment and consenting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Roland](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NERC-041225-RolandLeigh.jpg\")