25th August 2021
Note: this article was published when Verna was called FCP. You can read more about our name change in 2022.
The UK Government has today awarded FCP funding from its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, to extend the capabilities of our unique ForestFounder data science system.
The software’s geographical coverage, currently limited to England, will be expanded to cover Scotland and Wales.
Working with the UK’s forest science agency, Forest Research, FCP will also broaden the range of tree species for which ForestFounder can find optimal sites. By including faster-growing species, the system will be able to assess suitability for Short Rotation Forestry and Short Rotation Coppice – techniques which sequester carbon and produce biomass very rapidly. Forest Research will produce the first-ever national datasets showing climatic suitability for a range of species used in these techniques, including Willow and Eucalyptus.
This government funding will enable us to find more places to plant trees up and down the country, fighting climate change and supporting local nature and communities.
Dr Matthew Brown, Co-founder, FCP
FCP’s Co-founder Matthew Brown was quoted in the Government’s press release, alongside Energy Minister Lord Callanan.
Matthew said: “This government funding will enable us to find more places to plant trees up and down the country, fighting climate change and supporting local nature and communities. We’re proud to be part of Britain’s global leadership in using data science to create a greener and better world.”
Lord Callanan said: “We are backing UK innovators to ensure we have a homegrown supply of biomass materials, which is part of our wider plans to continue driving down carbon emissions as we build back greener.”
The project forms part of the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, run by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy. The programme is aimed at increasing the UK’s capacity to grow all types of biomass within the country, reducing the nation’s carbon footprint and enhancing energy and materials security.
The Government’s announcement has been widely covered in the media, with Matthew’s statement featured in BusinessGreen and The Energyst.