The projects are among 14 studies to receive seed funding from Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ), which aims to respond to some of the country’s most pressing climate and environmental challenges.
The initiatives go beyond achieving net zero by seeking to address wider priorities such as climate justice, biodiversity and nature recovery, and exploring how society can thrive in a low-carbon future.
Now in its third year, the SBNZ Seed Fund has increased its investment and funded more projects across more of Scotland’s universities than ever before.
Sustainable diets
A project involving Dr Stuart King in the School of Mathematics will explore how people in Scotland perceive interventions to reduce red and processed meat consumption, a significant contributor to climate impact.
Collaborating with policy stakeholders, a survey targeting 2,000 Scottish adults will assess which approaches are deemed fair, practical, and acceptable.
The project, carried out in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, aims to help guide targeted, evidence-based strategies for dietary change in Scotland.
Energy storage
Improving clean energy battery storage is the focus of a project involving Dr Peisan (Sharel) E from the School of Engineering.
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries offer a safer, lower-cost and more sustainable energy storage solution compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, some issues reduce the batteries’ performance and lifespan. The project will seek to overcome these challenges to develop more durable battery technologies.
The research is being undertaken with researchers from the University of St Andrews.
Circular economy
A project that aims to support circular economy initiatives will involve Dr Lucy Wishart from the School of Geosciences and Dr Shawn Bodden from the School of Social & Political Science.
Researchers will develop a scenario-based learning game to engage policymakers and the public about so-called share and repair organisations – such as tool libraries and repair cafes – and help foster a transition towards just and sustainable futures in Scotland. The project also involves researchers from the University of Glasgow.