Scotland Beyond Net Zero – an ambitious climate and sustainability partnership
In 2024, the University of St Andrews confirmed its participation as a signatory of the Scotland Beyond Net (SBNZ) network, an ambitious climate and sustainability partnership designed to accelerate Scotland’s transition to a post-net-zero future.
Founded by the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, SBNZ was launched earlier this year by Mairi McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition. The network brings together climate and sustainability experts from Scotland’s universities, aiming to mobilise research, data, and innovation to drive progress, empower communities, and inform policymaking in support of Scotland’s net zero targets.
SBNZ focuses on six key areas where further research is essential for achieving net zero and related sustainability goals: food, transport, finance, the built environment, natural systems, and energy.
In May, St Andrews supported the initiative by providing financial backing for the first round of seed funding within the coalition. The call for proposals, which opened in the summer of 2024, was open to all partner universities in the SBNZ network. Project proposals were required to involve collaboration and co-creation of research across at least two universities in the coalition, with clear plans for engagement or partnership with at least one other organisation.
Participating universities include the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, Heriot-Watt University, University of St Andrews, and University of Strathclyde. Member universities were invited to apply for funding ranging from £5,000 to £15,000.
By joining the SBNZ partnership, the University of St Andrews reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, including the ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035.
