The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), supported by Salix Finance, is launching a £19m programme aimed at boosting investment in energy efficiency across Scotland’s higher education institutions. The programme will provide accessible support and finance for carbon reduction throughout the sector and build capacity for funding in additional years, to benefit both students and staff.
SFC is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the SNP Government and operates at 'arms-length' from the Government.
The funding from the Universities for the Future programme, which is accessible to all universities in Scotland, will be allocated by SFC over the next two financial years. All universities within Scotland are invited to make use of the funding which will support several initiatives, including collaboration between public sector bodies, reduced maintenance backlogs through energy efficiency projects, and improved student experience through modernised estates.
The programme will support a wide range of technologies, including building fabric improvements, efficient heating upgrades and the reduction of carbon emissions in laboratories, with Salix supporting SFC through the recommendation of applications.
David Beards, Senior Policy Officer at SFC, said:
“This programme is aimed at helping Scottish universities with projects that lower their carbon footprint, as well as increasing their energy efficiency and enhancing students’ learning environment. It is a timely and significant opportunity for universities to take advantage of, following the First Minister’s recent declaration of a climate emergency, and we look forward to receiving innovative bids from the sector in partnership with Salix.”
Jennifer Roberts, Programme Manager for Scotland at Salix, added:
‘We are pleased to support the decarbonisation of Scottish universities in partnership with the SFC. It’s never been more important to engage with universities and students on the impact of climate change and to ensure we’re working in partnership to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“This is an exciting investment which is bound to result in a boost in carbon reduction.
“Scottish universities are known to be at the forefront of innovation and I look forward to seeing how the implementation of this programme will contribute to energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the future.”
ENDS
