SDG7: Policies and Practice
The information contained on this webpage overviews the various policies, practices and operational measures in place at the University of Glasgow in support of SDG7 – Renewable and Clean Energy.
Energy efficient new builds, renovations and upgrades:
The University has a set of Design Standards (reviewed in 2026) which help to ensure that our new buildings, refurbishments and asset maintenance activities are delivered to the highest achievable standards by setting out guidance on space standards, maintenance and access, servicing & deliveries, estates & operations, security, ICT, fire, sustainability, inclusive design, grounds & landscaping, signage and business continuity. These standards are live documents and are regularly updated to reflect developments in best practice.
Whilst the Design Standards are key policy for the University, the setting of project specific targets at project inception is key to driving sustainability into future projects. By setting targets early project teams have the greatest influence on successful implementation, since as a project progresses the cost of change is likely to increase. Targets will be set on a project-by-project basis with the Sustainability Design Guardian, a party independent of the design team, responsible for setting these at challenging levels relative to the project scope. As an example, current targets for new labs build target a 50% reduction in embodied carbon (from 1400kgCO2/m2 to 700kgCO2/m2) and a 60% reduction in operational energy (from 600kWh/m2/annum to 250kWh/m2/annum).
A Measurement and Verification (M&V) process will be utilised throughout a project’s design, construction, and in-use stages, to document the setting, monitoring, and evaluation of the project’s sustainability in line with the agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). M&V will be carried out by the appropriate members of the project team and monitored by the Sustainability Design Guardian.
It is important that targets are set proportionally to the scale and scope of the project to reduce unnecessary use of resources and the risk of increasing project cost. The targets set for any project are under the umbrella of Key Performance Indicators which reflect some of the aspirations and principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes. These KPIs encompass the goals as set out within the University Design Standards.
Soft Landings is a process that recognises the ongoing maintenance/operational costs of a building during its lifecycle far outweigh the original capital cost and carbon impact of construction. Application of and adherence to the soft landings processes should ensure that in-use performance of the buildings is optimised, through early engagement with both building managers and end users in the design process and by learning from previous experience, to reduce cost and carbon impact.
Implementation of the above processes should help to minimise the impact of our evolving estate but will not in every case deliver emissions reductions, particularly where additional space is created.
Carbon reduction and emission reduction process:
The University has a comprehensive Carbon Management Plan (2020/21 - 2029/30) (reviewed in 2023) which provides information on how the University plans to manage and reduce carbon emissions in line with its stated environmental sustainability goals.
Divestment Policy:
In October 2014, the University of Glasgow became the first university in the UK to commit to fully disinvesting from fossil fuel industry companies. The commitment was subject to reassurance that the financial impact for the University is acceptable, the detail of which was monitored by the University’s governing body, the University Court.
Full divestment meant the reallocation of around £18 million of current investments over a 10-year period. The decision was made after a period of consultation by an independent working group taking evidence from the Glasgow University Climate Action Society and the University Investment Committee.
The commitment of full divestment was set to be reached by 2024, subject to review of the financial impacts, and a commitment to reduce fossil fuel investments to less than 6.4% of total endowment investments by 2019.
In January 2024, the University of Glasgow successfully completed the process of fully divesting from fossil fuel companies, realising the commitment made in 2014.
Fossil fuel divestment supports the University’s strategic ambitions to reduce its carbon footprint and support socially responsible investment. It is a move that ensures that none of the funds managed on behalf of the University are invested with companies which work in the fossil fuel industry.
Community Outreach:
The University of Glasgow's Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy works closely with local communities, associations and NGOs to support energy efficiency and the transition to low-carbon living. Through partnerships with Glasgow City Council, the University leads community-scale energy projects such as GALLANT, which empowers residents to become active energy citizens by co-creating sustainable energy solutions and reducing energy demand. The University also contributes to the ENCLUDE project, which promotes inclusive participation in the energy transition by sharing knowledge and developing community-led approaches to decarbonisation. These initiatives help local communities engage with and benefit from sustainable energy practices.
Support Renewable Pledge:
Our energy system faces a significant transition in the coming decades, as we move toward the various targets being set by local and national governments across a range of vectors. For example, the Scottish Government has a challenging net zero emissions target, an ambitious target to continue to generate the equivalent of 100% of electricity from renewables sources, and to see hydrogen and carbon capture technologies help advance our transition to a less carbon intensive future.
The University of Glasgow aims to use our research excellence to support, advocate and provide a platform for dialogue around the challenges and impacts of such a change. By using our convening power, we bring together policy makers, academia, industry and our community to meet these challenges in partnership.
Scotland Beyond Net Zero is a landmark initiative which has been launched to bring together Scottish universities to address the climate emergency. Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ), founded jointly by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, aims to help the country meet – and go beyond – its ambition of achieving net zero by 2045.
The collaboration will catalyse action and empower government, policymakers, organisations and industry to make informed change to help Scotland reach its climate targets. The new venture will combine world-changing research, innovation and expertise in climate science and sustainability. It will address key challenges linked with the climate emergency, including clean energy, storage, decarbonisation, green transport, community empowerment and climate justice.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy sees energy as a service to human development and believes energy provision must be sustainable and accessible to all, avoiding unintended environmental and societal consequences. By taking a holistic, whole-system and life-cycle approach to energy, we can help tackle global sustainability challenges where the energy vector has a key role to play in supporting sustainable pathways to 2050 and beyond.
The Centre works closely with local communities, local authorities, charities and NGOs, national and international professional organisations, governments and industry, acting as a neutral platform for progressive dialogue among key stakeholders, facilitating advancements towards timely implementation of sustainable energy solutions at multiple scales. The Centre recently hosted Chris Stark, the UK Government’s Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, at a strategy workshop which aimed to help shape the University’s future approach to research and collaboration in the field of sustainable energy.
Our Centre for Public Policy also recently held an event, in collaboration with the Academy of Social Sciences and the International Public Policy Observatory, to discuss where we stand in the UK and internationally on the transition to net zero.
Industry Engagement:
The Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy at the University of Glasgow works closely with industry to accelerate innovation and the deployment of sustainable energy technologies. Its activities include collaborative research projects with industry partners such as MeterTech Ltd on hydrogen metering technology, nuclear decommissioning and environmental monitoring projects, and partnerships that support the development of green energy solutions. The Centre has created spin-out companies including Clyde Hydrogen and AevaSpec, secured support for industry-focused PhD programmes and fellowships, attracted significant industry donations, and collaborates with facilities such as TÜV SÜD and the Hydrogen Innovation Centre to develop and test emerging energy technologies.
Policy Development:
The University of Glasgow supports government and public policy ambitions for clean energy and energy-efficient technologies through research partnerships that help inform the transition to net-zero energy systems.
University researchers are contributing to CABLEGNOSIS, a €6 million European Commission Horizon-funded project involving 17 partners across five countries, which aims to develop advanced power cable technologies to support Europe's clean energy transition and 2050 net-zero targets. Researchers are developing AI-based predictive maintenance models for superconducting cables, helping energy providers improve grid reliability, integrate renewable energy sources and reduce infrastructure costs.
The University's wider sustainable energy research – organised and promoted via the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy - supports policy development and innovation for Scotland, the UK and Europe's low-carbon energy future.
Assistance to low-carbon innovation:
Clyde Hydrogen Systems is a pioneering technology company that emerged as a spin-out from the University of Glasgow (UofG). Established to develop innovative solutions for clean energy, particularly hydrogen-based technologies, Clyde Hydrogen represents a critical player in the growing green hydrogen sector. As the world moves towards reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change, hydrogen energy has become an essential focus, especially in Europe and the UK. Clyde Hydrogen aims to leverage its cutting-edge research to drive the hydrogen economy forward.
Green hydrogen, which is produced through electrolysis using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power is entirely free from carbon emissions. However, traditional electrolysis systems, entrenched in a 135-year-old architecture, are fundamentally inadequate for the green revolution. These outdated systems ineffectively integrate with renewable energy sources and present high costs and complexities that hinder scalability.
Recognising the commercial potential of their research, the team from the School of Chemistry, with support from the university’s Innovation & Enterprise department, decided to establish Clyde Hydrogen Systems as a spin-out company.
Clyde Hydrogen’s patented breakthrough technology redefines electrolysis architecture, severing the direct bond between hydrogen and oxygen generation. This pioneering feat gives the unprecedented ability to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in completely separate locations and at completely separate rates and times. Their decoupled systems stand head and shoulders above other alternatives, offering an unparalleled blend of simplicity and safety. They are adept at working directly with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar PV, and are capable of producing high-pressure hydrogen without the necessity of a mechanical compressor.
Key innovations include:
- Compatible with Renewable Energy: Clyde Hydrogen’s unique technology is directly compatible with renewable energy sources giving higher availability thus allowing more green electrons to be converted to green molecules.
- Unprecedented Flexibility: Clyde Hydrogen’s breakthrough architecture inherently supports hydrogen buffering through its unique liquid mediator. This allows the system to charge-up with hydrogen while there is no hydrogen demand and then to deliver high pressure hydrogen very quickly when needed. Conversely, when there is no renewable energy available, hydrogen can still be produced on demand from the charged liquid mediator.
- Improved Durability, Safety and Costs: Clyde Hydrogen’s decoupled electrolysis innovations deliver systems that have significantly improved durability, safety and simplicity. Importantly, delivering the lifetime performance industry needs at a lower cost.
Hydrogen is considered one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels, with the potential to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry, shipping, and aviation. The UK government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 has created a favourable environment for hydrogen-related companies like Clyde Hydrogen. The government’s Hydrogen Strategy outlines plans to invest in hydrogen production capacity, positioning the UK as a leader in the global hydrogen economy. The Scottish Government’s commitment to green hydrogen development through its Hydrogen Policy Statement has made it a crucial supporter of Clyde Hydrogen’s mission. Clyde Hydrogen has received grants and funding through the government’s Hydrogen Innovation Scheme.