What is the name of your institution?
University of Strathclyde
Why did you sign up to the Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges?
To collaborate and partner with city and region partners and with other Universities as we collectively tackle our net zero by 2040 target and the climate change and sustainability issues that we all face.
What have you achieved since you have joined the Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges?
We have developed an innovative, bold and ambitious Climate Neutral Districts Vision. Our partners include HE and FE institutions in the city, several local authorities across Glasgow Region, private sector, Scottish Government organisations and community focused partners including Local Energy Scotland.
How are you leading the transition to net-zero? Consider the Leadership Practices and how you are engaging others to join the Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges or other Race to Zero campaigns.
University of Strathclyde – Creating Climate Neutral ‘Districts’ across Glasgow Region
The River Clyde has an impressive history, making important contributions to ship and yachtbuilding for centuries. It will now play a key role in Glasgow and the region’s sustainable future, thanks to an innovative project led by the University of Strathclyde.
In partnership with Glasgow City Council and a range of public and private partners, the aim of the project is to create a Climate Neutral Innovation District in Glasgow – a 170-hectare area within the city that is 100% powered by renewable energy sources. Our work has shown that, by using heat pumps to capture heat from the Clyde and deliver it to the district, emissions could be reduced by up to 93%, improving the health and wellbeing of local communities in addition to the environmental benefits.
This concept of a climate neutral district which combines renewable heat, power, transport, climate adaptation and wellbeing solutions can be replicated anywhere in the UK, and even globally. Alongside the environmental benefits, the jobs the district will generate across all the above sectors will ensure that local communities stand to benefit long into the future.
What challenges have you had?
Doing this work in a pandemic has been challenging but we have overcome this by networking and scaling up our engagement using on line tools.
View a video by the university here.
