By Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling
This year comes to a close with the United Arab Emirates hosting the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). Here at the University of Stirling, our research community continues to support the delivery of solutions to global challenges laid down in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Our leadership and research expertise are playing a pivotal role in supporting the ambitions for Scotland and the world to transition to a net zero economy. The most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment carried out here in the UK showed that more than 80 per cent of our research is world leading or internationally excellent.
We have established Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SIEC) to create a net zero regional economy and a global exemplar of low-carbon growth. As part of that initiative, the Scotland Hydro Nation Chair programme is delivering solutions for sustainable water management. Last month we launched Forth Climate Forest, a plan to plant 16 million trees in our local area over the next decade to tackle the twin crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Looking ahead to 2024, work will begin on a new National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH), part of our world-leading Institute of Aquaculture which carries out pioneering work in the fastest-growing food production sector in a bid to tackle global hunger.
As COP28 has shown, there has never been a greater need for collaboration and cooperation to meet global challenges. YERUN plays a leading role in strengthening that endeavour through its bridge-building between people and institutions across Europe, and we are proud to play our part.
To all our YERUN friends, I send my best wishes for Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
