The Extinction Rebellion (XR) protests have given a new sense of urgency to the debate about the future of our planet.
They will also shine a spotlight on the new advice on long-term climate change targets due to be published on May 2 by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the body that advises the UK Government and the devolved administrations on emissions targets.
Whatever the targets are, commentators will be looking at what is currently being done to put us in reach of them.
The answers may sometimes be less dramatic than climate change protesters might hope for but nonetheless impactful. Here are a few lesser known examples of what Scottish colleges and universities are doing in
some key areas.
Farming is an industry that faces challenges to cut its emissions faster.
The challenges are especially acute where margins are tight and the outlook for subsidiaries is looking less certain than it has in the past. One line of research is into low-emission cows.
Cows produce methane which has a global warming potential 28 times that of carbon dioxide.
Recent research from Scotland’s Rural College has found that methane emissions from cows can vary greatly, even when they are members of the same breed. The research suggests that selective breeding could reduce the emissions by up to 50% in as little as 20 years. The Scottish construction industry also recognises the role it has to play in climate change. The Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) – backed by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise – is committed to finding greener ways to build and run our homes.
The Innovation Centre reports seeing an increase in companies looking for support in finding more efficient and sustainable ways of building. Earlier this year CSIC helped to launch an online materials library to help building professionals access information about sustainable design, resource efficiency and low carbon building.
Edinburgh College has had a fleet of electric vehicles since 2012. Now 15 vehicles strong, the fleet has saved the equivalent of 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions as well as more than £100,000 in fuel costs. The college’s use of electric vehicles has also helped to change attitudes amongst the 600 staff members registered to use the vehicles.
As part of the scheme students get hands-on experience of electric vehicles which benefits their understanding
of environmentally friendly transport technologies. Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, recently encouraged business leaders to invest in the “new paradigm of carbon neutral economic growth”.
Scottish colleges and universities, supported by bodies such as the Scottish Funding Council and the enterprise agencies, are seeking to help them do just that.
The Herald’s Climate for Change initiative supports efforts being made by the Scottish Government with key organisations and campaign partners. Throughout the year we will provide a forum in The Herald newspaper, online at herald.scotland.com and in Business HQ magazine, covering news and significant developments in this increasingly crucial area.
If you are interested in contributing editorially or interested in becoming a Climate for Change partner, please contact Stephen McTaggart on 0141 302 6137 or email stephen.mctaggart@heraldandtimes.co.uk
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