In March 2023, the European Commission proposed the Net Zero Industry Act, i.e. promoting climate-neutral – net-zero – activities. While carbon neutrality applies to all carbon dioxide emissions, net zero applies to all greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide). It is therefore a more ambitious approach to achieving climate goals.
Net-zero technology is a growing sector and the EU wants to ensure that it is a frontrunner with the upcoming Net Zero Industry Act. One of the ambitious targets of the legislation is that by 2030, manufacturing capacity for net-zero technologies in the EU will meet at least 40% of annual usage needs or be close to this level. The EU's means to achieve net-zero include financing strategic net-zero projects, simplifying bureaucracy, developing innovative testing environments and establishing the above-mentioned net-zero industry academies. Net zero industry academies increase skills and help create jobs based on net zero technologies. (European Commission 2023.)
The University of Applied Sciences of Jyväskylä (Jamk) wants to promote the achievement of this goal first with the help of the National Development Fund (AKKE). With the funding, Jamk launched the Net Zero Industry Academy project on 01.02.2024. The aim of the project is to investigate by the end of November 2024 the competence and development needs of Finnish companies related to net-zero technologies and to create a training model that serves them, which will be piloted in the future. The aim is therefore to launch a Jamk's net zero industry academy based on the EU's net zero regulation and the needs of businesses. Current net-zero technologies include photovoltaics and thermal, electrolysers and fuel cells, wind power, sustainable biogas/methane, battery technology, carbon capture and storage, heat pumps and geothermal energy, and grid-related technologies.
In addition, one of the main goals of the project is to commit a wide range of companies and other actors with whom the net zero approach can be further developed in Central Finland and Finland. The unique testing, development and training environment of the Saarijärvi Bioeconomy Campus creates an excellent foundation for the operations of the Net Zero Industry Academy by utilising the educational expertise of different degree levels. With the green transition, net-zero technologies offer Central Finland and Finland huge business growth potential.
