Ex-chief scientific adviser is to head climate-change fight

Professor Sir Ian Boyd takes on key role at St Andrews

St Andrews University has appointed the UK Government’s former chief scientific adviser to lead its response to the climate crisis.

Professor Sir Ian Boyd, an authority on climate change and the strategic shifts required to address it, has been tasked by the university to challenge staff and students to develop novel, evidence-led responses to the need to further cut St Andrews’ carbon footprint.

The university has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and was among the first in the UK to pursue major green energy initiatives, with the commissioning of a £25 million biomass and energy centre on its Eden Campus site at Guardbridge.

Sir Ian will lead an Environmental

Sustainability Board to bring together the university’s climate research. The board will produce targets, develop a sustainability strategy and act as an advisory board to ensure plans are developed.

Staff and students will be appointed to identify ways in which the university can change its approach to the use of resources and ethical investments.

Sir Ian said: “This will in no uncertain terms present a significant challenge, particularly to an international institution that attracts people to Scotland from around the world and aims to participate in global debates.”

Principal Professor Sally Mapstone said: “Ian’s role is not only to harness the best of us, but to challenge us as an institution and as individuals.”

Sir Ian is a marine and polar scientist with a career which has focused on the management of human impact on the environment. He was chief scientific officer to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2012 until last year, when he was knighted for services to science and economics on food and the environment.

Professor Sir Ian Boyd will lead St Andrews University’s response to the climate change crisis.