The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) has announced its first corporate supporter to help accelerate research into a new project for 2023 - looking at blue carbon capture.
Water Plus is the first company to sign up to SAMS’ brand-new corporate supporter scheme, which aims to bring companies together to focus collective efforts and raise awareness about the importance of marine habitats and underwater eco-systems, for a stronger planet in the future.
The partnership with Water Plus will mean SAMS can accelerate research in the field of blue carbon capture, with the goal of creating a science-based system for verifying the effectiveness of seaweed in marine carbon capture. Blue Carbon is the term for carbon captured by and in the world’s oceans, including coastal and marine ecosystems.
Water Plus, which has a base in Scotland and one in England, will also work with SAMS to raise awareness with communities in Scotland and further afield, around making good use of water each day – and highlight the importance of marine habitats in mitigating rising CO2 levels and climate change.
Water Plus, which provides water and wastewater services including billing, customer service, meter reading, account management and technical water services for over 719,000 customer supply points in England and Scotland, is the first water retailer to support SAMS and is using its voice to encourage further progress and actions for the environment, including cutting water waste at buildings, which also can reduce carbon emissions – and energy use, where hot water is lost.
SAMS Director Prof Nicholas Owens said: “Not only will having Water Plus as one of our founding corporate members help kickstart this new programme of vital corporate giving, which intends to highlight the impact marine habitats can have in helping the planet thrive, but their support is also contributing to the first steps in a brand new project which could have transformative impact in the future of blue carbon initiatives and accelerate our work in this important area of marine sustainability.”
Andy Hughes, Chief Executive of Water Plus, said: “We’re passionate about protecting and enhancing the environment, and helping the communities we work in. Supporting charities like SAMS allows us to help make environmental innovation, understanding and research happen faster - and gives us the opportunity to encourage other organisations and communities to get involved and help reduce, or prevent carbon emissions to help tackle climate challenges.”
The partnership is an additional part of the action Water Plus is taking under its Cleaner Climate Promise, announced in March 2022, and its support of projects including peatland restoration and re-introducing native oysters into UK coastal waters to improve biodiversity and restore habitats in marine eco-systems.
