The University of Aberdeen has signed up to an ambitious new climate and sustainability partnership seeking to accelerate Scotland's transition to a post-net-zero future.
The Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) group is a collaborative group of universities, policymakers and local partners established to address key challenges in energy transition.
The group will focus on six key areas in which further research is crucial for achieving net zero and related sustainability goals. These are Food, Transport, Finance, Built environment, Natural Systems and Energy.
This new partnership, founded by the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, was launched by Mairi McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition earlier this year.
Professor Christina Boswell, Vice-Principal (Research and Enterprise) from the University of Edinburgh and Professor Chris Pearce, Vice-Principal (Research and Knowledge Exchange) from the University of Glasgow said: “We are delighted to welcome the University of Aberdeen to the partnership.
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and SBNZ represents a distinctive collaboration that is mobilising research, data and innovation to accelerate Scotland’s transition past net zero, building on the legacy of COP 26 and leading a global example of partnership to effect change.”
This allegiance with SBNZ is part of a raft of initiatives from the University of Aberdeen that cements its commitment to sustainability. The University is 1st in Scotland for globally collaborative environmental research (QS World Rankings 2023), 1st in Scotland for environmental research impact (QS World Rankings 2023), 1st in the UK for SDG17: Partnership for the Goals (THE Impact Rankings 2023) and we are 34th in the world for Environmental Impact (QS Sustainability Rankings 2023).
Professor Nicholas Forsyth, Vice-Principal (Research) from the University of Aberdeen said: “Commitment to sustainability is key to our Aberdeen 2040 strategy and we are proud to join Scotland Beyond Net Zero, uniting our expertise with other leading institutions to drive impactful research and innovation. Together, we are dedicated to pioneering solutions that will not only meet but surpass net zero goals, fostering a sustainable and resilient future for Scotland and the world.”
ENDS