Four University of Glasgow-led projects have received support from the Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) Seed Fund for 2026–27 to address some of Scotland's most urgent climate and environmental challenges.

In the climate finance strand, Professor Patrick Bayer (School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow) and Professor Ben Cormier (University of Strathclyde) will examine how Scotland can build a mature green finance market to help deliver net zero by 2045. With an estimated £1bn a year needed, the team will adapt successful European approaches and co-develop, with Scottish stakeholders, a practical framework outlining structural, institutional and system-level actions to connect green capital with a strong pipeline of climate projects. Findings will be shared at a capstone symposium in Edinburgh, during London Climate Action Week, and through academic and policy publications.

Under the energy theme, "Implementing Clean Heat in Scotland's New Build Homes" will study the roll-out of low-carbon heating required by the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS), introduced in April 2024 and updated in January 2025. Led by Dr Sohail Ahmad (University of the West of Scotland) and Professor Ken Gibb (School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow), the project will investigate on-the-ground experiences of developers, local authorities, energy organisations and residents. It will explore higher upfront costs, installer shortages, rural infrastructure constraints and uncertainty linked to the delayed Heat in Buildings Bill, while identifying practical support to improve installation, use and maintenance of clean heating systems.

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Two circular economy projects also secured funding. "Complex Circles – Navigating Share and Repair Ecosystems in Scotland through Game Based Learning" is led by Dr Lucy Wishart and Dr Shawn Bodden (University of Edinburgh), with Dr Franziska Paul (Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow) and Dr Timothy Peacock (School of Humanities, University of Glasgow). Focused on share and repair organisations (SROs) such as tool libraries and repair cafés—now numbering over 100 across Scotland—the team will assess how these initiatives, recognised under the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 and the Community Wealth Building Act, can overcome operational challenges including infrastructure, logistics, volunteer capacity, rising costs and space constraints. Working with Circular Communities Scotland and other experts, the project will translate insights into a scenario-based learning game for policymakers and the public.

"A living lab approach to decarbonising the Scottish festival sector" will test how reusable cups and serveware can cut waste at events. Led by Professor Matt Brennan (School of Culture & Creative Arts, University of Glasgow) and Professor Jane Ali-Knight (Edinburgh Napier University), the study notes the sector's economic impact—DF Concerts' 2025 programme generated £164.6 million—alongside its resource intensity. Using living labs at Summer Sessions in Glasgow and Hidden Door Festival in Edinburgh in June 2027, the project will co-create and evaluate reuse solutions with audiences, promoters, researchers and green industry specialists.

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"