From resilient communities to climate finance: Funding for new research beyond net zero

Joint announcement

Kate Symons - 05/08/26

Fourteen projects from across Scottish universities have secured funding for ideas that respond to some of the country’s most pressing climate and environmental challenges. They go beyond achieving net zero by addressing wider priorities such as climate justice and just transition, biodiversity and nature recovery, and exploring how society can thrive in a net zero future.

From green finance to sustainable hospitals
Two of the funded projects focus on climate finance. One aims to develop frameworks for managing different sources of funding, while another draws on examples and lessons from other European countries to create mechanisms for matching funding and projects more effectively.

Several of the funded initiatives address energy-related challenges. These include exploring renewable heat sources such as geothermal energy, designing tidal turbines that take marine mammals into account, developing more durable, affordable and sustainable batteries, and identifying ways to remove barriers to low-carbon heat installations in new housing.

Research on climate justice and community engagement includes supporting communities to develop resilient communication systems that can continue operating during adverse weather events, aiming to strengthen local capacity and improve resilience in the face of climate-related disruption.

Making healthcare more sustainable is a focus for three of the projects, including improving transport for rural healthcare services, developing more sustainable storage systems in hospitals, and using digital twin technology to support hospitals in their transition towards net zero.

From food choices to sustainable and ethical funerals
Several projects contribute to the circular economy. One will analyse the infrastructure that supports existing share and repair organisations and make its findings publicly available through an educational game designed to promote circular economy principles. Another will use Glasgow Summer Sessions and Edinburgh’s Hidden Door Festival as living labs to explore ways of reducing waste at music festivals, including the use of reusable cups and serveware.

One research team will explore sustainable diets by polling 2000 adults to determine how food choices can be influenced in ways that are both practical and socially acceptable.

A further project will investigate the development of more sustainable and ethical funeral practices and the societal acceptance of adopting new approaches.

Investment in our future
Professor Chris Pearce, Vice Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the SBNZ Governing Board said:

“Now in its third year, the Scotland Beyond Net Zero Seed Fund continues to grow in scale and ambition. This year, we have increased our investment and funded more projects across more of Scotland’s universities than ever before.

We are delighted to support these innovative and impactful collaborations, which reflect the breadth of climate and sustainability research across Scotland. I look forward to seeing the results of these projects and the lasting benefits they will bring to Scotland’s communities and environment”

Bringing together researchers, policymakers, public bodies and communities, these projects demonstrate the value of collaboration in tackling complex challenges. Together, they represent an investment not only in new knowledge, but in Scotland’s long-term environmental and societal resilience.

To read more about the projects, please visit: SBNZ seed fund projects 2026-27.