Carbon target progress
The University of Stirling has more than halved its carbon footprint in the last 14 years, it has been revealed.
The uni is now joining with higher education institutions across the UK to showcase its vital contribution to tackling the climate emergency.
The‘climate Action’campaign, launched last week by sector body Universities UK, aims to demonstrate higher education’s diverse response to climate change, from pioneering new technologies and solutions, to equipping future generations with the knowledge and understanding to respond to the challenges of a climate-changed future.
Stirling has been leading the conversation around climate change across the Forth Valley, as a number of new ventures aimed at supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero, have got under way.
The university’s Sustainability Plan, published last week, sets out ambitious goals for the university to become a net zero institution by 2040, taking action across a range of areas from the management of its estate and finances, to embedding sustainability across learning, teaching and research.
Professor Sir Gerry Mccormac, principal and vice-chancellor, said: “The climate emergency presents one of the most significant, and complex, challenges for humankind. That’s why the university’s new Sustainability Plan takes a holistic approach, from driving increasing efficiencies across our campus to putting sustainability at the heart of our educational offer.
“As a university, we have made significant progress in reducing our carbon footprint, while our researchers are taking cutting-edge innovations to the heart of the international climate debate.”
The latest data reveals that the organisation’s carbon emissions for 2020/21 have reduced by 51.5 per cent since 2007/08.
The Sustainability Plan reiterates the university’s commitment to help communities across the world to find sustainable solutions.
That effort begins in the Forth Valley, with Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SIEC), launched in November 2021 as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.
SIEC is funded through investment from the Scottish Government (£17m) and UK Government (£5m). By working closely with the region’s industry, and partners in Forth Valley College and Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils, SIEC will create an‘innovation community’at the heart of the region, driving the creation of a net zero regional economy and acting as a global exemplar of low-carbon growth.
Meanwhile, at an international level, the forestlab research hub has been created to explore climatesmart, conservation-led solutions for sustainable development in central Africa.
The university has committed to sharing insights and best practice with regional partners and stakeholders through the Forth Valley for Net Zero initiative.