Government asks for RedCAT innovation policy and funding intelligence

RedCAT CEO Prof. Miranda Barker OBE DL as a member of the Delivery Group of the DESNZ Net Zero Council chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has presented a series of policy and funding recommendations which if implemented swiftly by the Government could turn a rapidly expanding green-tech sector into a primary growth driver for the UK domestic and export economy.

News (see below) – The Government is being encouraged to roll-out RedCAT’s highly-successful commercialisation methodology for climate-tech innovations across the UK with the added support of strong RedCAT policy recommendations. — Meanwhile, becoming a member of the CTCN (Climate Technology Centre and Network) in Copenhagen gives RedCAT an opportunity to preview what future green-tech solutions the UN will be looking for around the world and help RedCAT companies make expressions of interest. — Chartered UK and European patent attorney Sam Giles also explains why innovation and a rise in UK patenting go hand-in-hand.

– But it has also asked for RedCAT’s views from Lancashire

On key economic issues such as expansion of the UK’s young but burgeoning green-tech sector, the Government will soon have to make far-reaching investment and support decisions based on bona fide ‘horse’s mouth’ information it can trust.

Fortunately RedCAT, though its frontline commercialisation work with leading innovators, is well-positioned to provide high-quality original intelligence supported by detailed care studies.

In December 2024, the Government relaunched the Net Zero Council, which in February 2025 under the leadership of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, was tasked with driving forward the UK’s net zero  strategy and Government journey for the UK to become a clean energy superpower within the Plan for Change.

The Council brings together for high-level discussions representatives from bodies that include the World Wildlife Fund, Design Council, Local Government Association, Siemens, HSBC, Nestle … and now RedCAT via its Delivery Group role as explained below.

– Council aims + RedCAT inputs

The Net Zero Council has three priority goals: – providing expert insights; driving decarbonisation across the UK economy; and engaging the wider business community.

In May, as a council Delivery Group member, Miranda raised important issues – and potential answers – about future innovation that will be detailed shortly in a full report.

Under the heading of “Unlocking the opportunities of low carbon technologies in the UK – removing the barriers to commercialisation” issues currently include changes to the funding landscape and policy, grid connections, foreign direct investment, and removing skill constraints.

The full report is now being developed by the British Chambers of Commerce and RedCAT.

– Learning from life at the green coalface

As Miranda explains, “The Council and Energy Secretary want to know about the difficulties facing innovators who are helping to power economic growth. Our joint goal is to reduce and remove policy bottlenecks while also streamlining and strengthening financial support lines.”

She continues, “RedCAT’s commercialisation approach carried out in lock-step with green-tech innovators has already delivered 46 successful new products and services to UK and world markets.

“As such, we understand the barriers innovators face in crossing the daunting “valley-of-death” gap from promising post-prototype models to finished products selling like hot cakes off retailers’ shelves.”

She adds, “We are also acutely aware of the win-or-die funding problems talented entrepreneurs and inventors face in taking green-tech developments from drawing board to market.”

“However, we also know that global constraints are making progress difficult. But that is exactly why it is important for UK Plc. Innovation – and particularly green innovation –  solves many contemporary problems.”

– Funding, policies, carbon, waste, grid connections and skills

Specific points RedCAT has highlighted include the funding needed for all stages of development – from early-to-innovation, mid-stage evolution – typically via Innovate UK, through to late-stage funding focusing on commercialisation.

Under policy priorities, the Council will also be encouraged to consider revenue-neutral changes to increase the take up of low carbon innovations – including procurement and planning – as well as the new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), waste, and EV policy commitments.

There are a worrying number of cases where we are losing our technology to overseas funding sources because the UK has not been proactive enough. The regrettable result is that many first-stages of manufacture are also being offshored.

To reverse this situation, our call for Foreign Direct Investment involves creating a pro-low carbon technology investment environment with defined risk metrics and patient capital needs (long-term late-stage investments as debt or equity).

Other key points include increasing the pace of new grid connections, creating a roadmap to meet future grid demands – and, as always, removing skills constraints which limit renewable technology installation capacity, workers in transition from fossil-fuel to low carbon energy sectors, and low carbon skills for businesses.

– A Northern take on nationwide problems

Crucially, the Council is now fully-aware of RedCAT’s mission and achievements (‘Creating a global low carbon technology ecosystem to enable a sustainable future’)

The next challenge is for Government to roll-out RedCAT’s methodology more widely across the UK regions and adopt RedCAT’s policy recommendations shown in summary here.

The next step will be a full report drawn up by BCC and RedCAT for the Council and Energy Secretary that will explain our recommendations in much more detail.

RedCAT’s partners include: – the British Business Bank, Innovation UK, UK Research and Innovation, Make UK, AMRC, the Institute of Directors, Lancashire County Council, UCLAN and Government departments amongst others.

– Helping to supply it from Lancashire

Since COP26 in Glasgow (2021), Miranda Barker and Director of Sustainability East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Sykes have followed the implementation of the UN Paris Agreement in detail.

This is about to reap dividends as we get nearer and nearer to the key parts for RedCAT in the UN’s international structure, explains Miranda.

In April 2025, Miranda and Stephen were invited to take a closer role in the UN’s COP climate process – a very welcome development that should bring mutual benefits for the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) climate initiative and RedCAT.

As an opportunity to understand the sustainability problems many nations face – as well as UNFCCC’s global challenges – participation will help RedCAT to identify what green-tech projects the UN thinks it will need in future.

– From early evidence to proven risks

COP – the UNFCCC’s “supreme body” – came into force in 1994 when there was less hard scientific evidence than now to justify preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system.

While annual COP (Conference of the Parties with representative on 198 nations) climate summits are highly-visible forums where world leaders and special interest groups meet experts, discuss, agree, disagree, and often compromise on promises to act in global unison, they are the tip of the UNFCCC iceberg.

– Powerful invisible hands

Behind the scenes, COP reviews national communications and emission data that member parties submit, to assess progress and the effectiveness of measures they take to address climate change.

COP also sets a framework with broad principles, general obligations, and basic arrangements to achieve international cooperation assisted by a hierarchy of UNFCCC support bodies.

– Copenhagen invitation

RedCAT recently joined a three-day meeting of the CTCN (Climate Technology Centre and Network), the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism that works to accelerate the transfer of sound green-tech to developing countries.

CTCN provides technical assistance, capacity building, and advice on technology needs, policies, and implementation plans as requested by developing countries.

– Listening, learning, and contributing

Miranda and Stephen attended as official International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) BINGO (Business and Industry Non-Governmental Organisation) observers although RedCAT is now an active network member in its own right.

“We opted to take part in the session considering technology delivery and deployment which is at the heart of RedCAT’s own mission,” explains Miranda, adding that it was clear an international global plan is needed which again hits RedCAT’s nail on the head.

Between COP summits, many actions take place. They include governments pledging money to CTCN but also submitting applications for technology support specific to the global warming impacts individual nations are experiencing.

– Global projects, future problems, solutions and benefits

“One of the most important lessons we took away is that CTCN could be a route to projections by the UN of what projects its member states may need in the future. We hope to learn what problems individual nations face and the challenges UNFCCC must contend with”, says Miranda.

“We also explained what RedCAT is and what we do. In return we were given a very enthusiastic reception. It is clear that RedCAT can potentially add a key further benefit to the UN process”.

– Green supply and demand synergy

“Over the last four years, we’ve collected statistics about 46 technologies we have taken to market through RedCAT’s unique commercialisation process.

“These successes show us that there could be a strong synergy between what innovative Lancashire  manufacturing and service companies can provide and global green-tech demands, especially from the challenged Global South.”

The other conclusion she draws is that there are many nice UN people in Denmark with strong worldwide connections who it will be a pleasure and ethically rewarding to do green-business with.

– But great innovations are held back by poor commercialisation

Additional good news is that UK-based innovators have increased patent filing in Europe by 3.1%, a sign that research, development and innovation activity is growing, according to a new report.

The European Patent Office (EPO)’s ‘Patent Index 2024’ shows demand for patents remaining robust. Filings in 2024 equalled 2023’s high level, with key growth in AI-related inventions and battery technologies.

UK-based innovators filed 6,076 European patent applications in 2024, after rises of 4.2% in 2023 and 1.9% in 2022. UK growth was the third highest after South Korea and Switzerland.

However, UK innovators account for just 3% of the EPO total. The US accounted for 24%, Germany 12.6%, Japan 10.6% and China 10.1%. UK R&D and innovation activity is strong but held back by poor commercialisation and funding.

– Innovation and patenting go hand-in-hand

Chartered UK patent attorney, European Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator – and RedCAT partner, Sam Giles, says the increase in UK based innovators filing for patent protection both in the UK and abroad is very welcome –  and overdue.

As he explains, “We have a fantastic patent system in both the UK and Europe and a rich tradition of invention in the UK. We also have many incentives for patent filing in recognition of the benefit of innovation to the UK.

“For example, the patent box scheme is designed to reduce corporation tax on profits associated with granted patents from 25% to 10%.

– Good commercialisation makes perfect

“However, over the years UK innovators have unfortunately not been prolific patent filers – which reflects that we have fantastic research in the UK, but not always ideal commercialisation!

“Circa 93% of all patents in the UK are owned by foreign-based companies – which is significantly higher than any comparable country. Germany is responsible for more than four times the number of European patent applications than the UK.

– Optimising high-quality research

Sam adds, “Our sincere hope is that this is the start of a golden period of commercialisation by UK companies – making the most of the high-quality research that has always emanated from these isles.

The 93% statistic above, he explains, is from a Government report – “Building the Evidence Base on the Performance of the UK Patent System”.

This highlighted that per million of population the UK has normally filed between 300-400 patent applications. This compares to Germany with just over 900 applications per million.

Onshoring entrepreneurship

– With innovation the best is yet to come

“The UK continues to invest in green-tech, AI, battery innovations, and other growing fields,” he says.

“We hope this growth is evidence that the UK is beginning to harness its research and innovation with more effective commercialisation – and in coming years can come near to and eventually overtake Germany!

Best of the regions

– Open question

UK patent applications are often assumed to be skewed towards London and large companies. One aspect that has never been thoroughly researched is the geographic spread of the applications internally within the UK.

A patent distribution profile across the different regions – and breakdown across different technology fields, would be very revealing, Sam believes.

Doubtlessly, with RedCAT innovators included, Lancashire and the Northwest will score highly!

– With innovation the best is yet to come

“The UK continues to invest in green-tech, AI, battery innovations, and other growing fields,” he says.

“We hope this growth is evidence that the UK is beginning to harness its research and innovation with more effective commercialisation – and in coming years can come near to and eventually overtake Germany!

– Open question

UK patent applications are often assumed to be skewed towards London and large companies. One aspect that has never been thoroughly researched is the geographic spread of the applications internally within the UK.

A patent distribution profile across the different regions – and breakdown across different technology fields, would be very revealing, Sam believes.

Doubtlessly, with RedCAT innovators included, Lancashire and the Northwest will score highly!