How one Scottish university aims to tackle climate change over the next 15 years

“NONE of us individually can solve the problems that we face at the moment”, says Professor Margaret Graham of the University of Edinburgh. Graham, director of the Edinburgh Earth Initiative (EEI), is championing the University of Edinburgh’s new regenerative sustainability strategy that aims to restore nature across an area of Scotland that is five times larger than campus. The university has unveiled a 15-year plan which will involve regenerating wildlife habitats, finding low carbon heating sources and planting more trees to isolate carbon dioxide emissions. “We’ve been trying to do this a for a very long time, but this is the first time it’s been formalised in a strategy”, says Graham. This strategy was formed in response to the environmental polycrisis that the UK is currently living in. A polycrisis is when multiple interrelated global crises are happening at the same time which can cause catastrophic simultaneous damage, which Graham explains. “We have carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that has been increasing which we need to get rid of quickly. “We also know that for 200 years we have been burning fossils fuels. That has impacted not just the environment but our soils too, and that leads into impacts of our waters.” “That’s what this new strategy is trying to do: make all these connections so that we can have a whole systems approach to try to solve these problems.” READ MORE: Scots raise millions to help Myanmar earthquake victims Graham stresses that lowering carbon emissions is not the only goal in upholding a sustainable environment. It also involves having healthy soils, healthy water systems and improving areas that have been heavily impacted by the polycrisis. “These impacted areas might heavily be in cities. For example, Glasgow was a very heavily industrialised city in the past and we need to get back to what a natural environment would have looked like.” The Edinburgh Innovations wing of the university and EEI have launched a Regenerative Catalyst Award Programme where funding is given to research projects which aim to uncover innovative ways to address climate change. One of these projects addresses the need for clean energy which takes into consideration Scotland’s needs for offshore wind energy. Wind turbines are becoming bigger and heavier so this project looks at ways to reduce their weight and the quantity of materials needed to minimise the use of natural resources. The university’s strategy also aims to ensure all students have access to the study of the climate and nature, regardless of what degree they are pursuing. Graham added: “There are so many ways that climate and environment are relevant to subjects you might not have thought of in the past. It could be mathematics, computing or AI.” Graham mentions that AI has sustainability implications and cautions that not being careful with how AI is used could be problematic in the future. If undergraduate students can think from an environmental perspective how their actions will make an impact, then that can increase their awareness. The University of Edinburgh has had international influence in the centuries it has been standing, and contributing to the restoration of the environment is another area of importance. READ MORE: 'Glaring flaw' in Scottish salmon farm data as millions of fish deaths excluded Graham said: “As part of the EEI, our focus is on Africa and Asia. We recently visited the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and we’re looking at trying to collaborate on climate and environment research and innovation. “We’ve already got students working on innovation projects. I was so amazed by what they have done in a space of six to twelve months. From producing biochar materials to producing sensors for air pollution to making paper for waste.” Graham recalls how the University of Ibadan visited Edinburgh last year where they talked about the aspirations for the newly launched climate strategy. Ibadan have now launched their own climate strategy. The professor hopes that this is a major step in Scotland and Nigeria working together to achieve their joint climate and environment sustainability goals. READ MORE: North Sea oil and gas firms see £73 billion share price boom from Iran war Graham also talks about the importance of being seen by policymakers and to show them the benefits of addressing climate issues. “We are reaching out via Scotland Beyond Net Zero, ran by Kate Simons, and we have an agreement with 13 of Scotland’s higher education institutes who are involved. That’s where we see the policy space and where we can have a voice.” Graham emphasises that the greater number of people in the local community who they can enthuse to engage with climate protection, they can be shown what steps can be taken to help themselves, others around them and our environment. She said: “By working collectively, that will accelerate us towards the goals that are set out in our strategy and the goals we widely share with our partners around the world.”