Green Assist: Harnessing emissions for eco-friendly farming

As the world gets more and more receptive to sustainability, rethinking agriculture is becoming increasingly important. Supported by Green Assist, the startup company Horizon Growers has developed innovative high-tech indoor farms that produce food sustainably.

Horizon Growers aims to develop and operate high-tech indoor farms dedicated to grow fresh produce sustainably. Traditionally, the heat and CO₂ needed to produce crops are generated by burning gas. However, in a move away from fossil fuels, Horizon Growers aims to strategically locate their projects close to existing industrial emitters to capture waste heat and CO₂. Instead of being released into the atmosphere, the waste heat and captured CO₂ are released directly into the project’s indoor farms, serving as a vital input for food production. By repurposing these waste streams, the project aims to enhance sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Horizon Growers’ ultimate goal is to produce CO₂-neutral food close to consumers. To achieve this, the project has developed a data tool that identifies suitable sites with abundance of heat and CO₂, as well as with land availability.

In a bid to strengthen its position in the market, Horizon Grower’s project team applied for Green Assist specialised support. Through the Green Assist Roster of Experts, an experienced technical expert was selected and provided free tailored advisory services from July to September 2024.

Green Assist’s advisory assignment involved carrying out a lifecycle assessment and a Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) check, which provided a systematic evaluation of the project’s life cycle stages. These steps were key in supporting informed decision-making, fostering innovation and promoting environmental sustainability. 

Importantly, these studies helped the company to be well prepared for seeking and securing financial support, such as EU funds or through participation in brokerage events. This will not only strengthen Horizon Grower’s position against competitors but will also facilitate concrete agreements with stakeholders and other key players.

Ryan Archer, Co-founder of Horizon Growers, appreciated Green Assist’s support, commenting:

‘The findings of the expert from Green Assist highlighted that we can significantly lower the carbon footprint of horticultural production. Horizon Growers will provide consumers with sustainable, local produce in key markets, all year-round. Green Assist’s input allows us to substantiate and quantify the environmental benefit of our approach to provide confidence to investors, retailers and consumers. The knowledge provided by Green Assist was invaluable, and aligned well with our company values and vision.’

Green Assist aims to build a pipeline for high-impact green investment projects in sectors related to biodiversity, natural capital and circular economy, as well as in non-environmental sectors. 

Learn more about how Green Assist can help you get free tailored support for your green project or contact us at  cinea-green-assist@ec.europa.eu. To request advisory services from Green Assist, simply  fill out this short form.