Scotland Beyond Net Zero sustainability toolkit for researchers launched

Kate Symons - 20/01/26

Scotland Beyond Net Zero sustainability toolkit for researchers launched

Scotland Beyond Net Zero has developed a toolkit to help researchers articulate their contribution to sustainability and highlight their added value to funders.

The SBNZ toolkit aims to complement and add to the delivery of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice by helping researchers demonstrate the leadership and contribution to environmental sustainability they have through the content and outcomes of their research. The toolkit will allow researchers to identify the different ways their research can be applied to sustainability challenges and to clearly explain the value and impact of their work. This aligns with the priorities of many funders, who are increasingly interested in supporting cross-disciplinary work focused on climate challenges.

Universities which are signatories of the Concordat commit to improving ways in which they conduct research, so they reduce or eliminate negative environmental consequences. Guidance and toolkits to help achieve this, particularly focusing on research practice such as use of resources and sustainable travel, are currently being developed by the signatories of the Concordat and are separate from the SBNZ toolkit.

The SBNZ sustainability toolkit will primarily help researchers new to sustainability to identify new applications or framings for their research. SBNZ hopes the toolkit will also be used by experienced sustainability researchers to identify more dimensions of sustainability and to more deeply engage with the multiple dimensions and trade-offs inherent in this kind of research. Finally, all researchers applying for funding will be able to use this toolkit to explain their contributions in ways that are relevant to funders’ priorities.

“Determining how to contribute to creating a more sustainable future can be a daunting task for anyone, so I’m excited that SBNZ is launching this new toolkit for researchers. The toolkit will help researchers understand how their individual and collaborative actions will reduce negative impacts on current and future generations and the planet.” Professor Jaime L Toney, University of Glasgow

For more insights into the development of the toolkit and how it can help in research design and development, please read this blog: https://scotland-beyond-net-zero.ac.uk/about-the-scotland-beyond-net-zero-research-toolkit/

The toolkit can be accessed via the SBNZ website at: https://scotland-beyond-net-zero.ac.uk/toolkit/

Staff at SBNZ member institutions interested in learning more about the toolkit are invited to attend a launch and information event on 25^th March. For more details and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980468915840?aff=oddtdtcreator