Climate-neutral strategies with Dr Roddy Yarr
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Dr. Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde, joins Chris Lavery to share his strategy for developing and delivering initiatives to address the university’s position on net zero.
In this episode: collaboration is key
As a university, how do you lead, innovate, and drive sustainable solutions? Can universities show leadership in tackling the climate crisis? Dr Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde, believes the role universities have to play is a significant one.
We're delighted to welcome Roddy to the podcast to learn about the forward-thinking projects he's been involved in, and how students are helping to deliver the university's net zero ambitions. From climate-neutral districts to the university’s first energy-carbon-neutral building in operation, this episode is jam-packed with practical, real-world insight.
“Our vision is to create what we call climate-neutral districts across our operating assets and work with others to achieve all of the outcomes that we're seeking. And that involves at-scale collaboration across the city and region in Glasgow.” Dr Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde
Meet Dr Roddy Yarr
Roddy and his team have successfully led the delivery of the £20M District Heating project at the main university campus, and have developed the design and funding programme that’s enabled the delivery of the university’s first energy carbon-neutral building in operation at the new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.
He’s also project sponsor for the £13M ‘Heart of the Campus’ people-first open space redevelopment at the university. And last but certainly not least, he’s developed the innovative and multi-award winning ‘Climate Neutral Districts’ vision, which deploys 100% renewable heat, power, active travel, adaptation, and well-being solutions across all university assets in the central belt of Scotland.
Key highlights
- 2:20 - 5:42 - Net-Zero Is a Team Effort - Collaboration is at the core of Dr. Roddy Yarr and the University of Strathclyde's operational sustainability agenda. Their vision is to create a climate-neutral district across all operating assets and work with others to achieve the net-zero goal, which involves at-scale collaboration across the city and region in Glasgow.
- 7:30 - 9:33 - Engaging Students in Sustainability Projects - Younger generations are more informed and knowledgeable and have higher expectations regarding climate change and sustainability actions. Meeting those expectations comes down to taking a place-based approach, collaborating with the city council on the infrastructure to make the space around the university safer, more accessible and greener, and working with students to deliver projects that they can get involved in while at the same time creating a great environment to learn in.
- 9:33 -11:43 - Promoting Sustainable Initiatives With the Students - The University of Strathclyde mainly works with MCS (Master of Computer Science) students due to their abilities to handle data well and offer good insights. It also offers lectures for undergraduates and involves them in real-life projects, like living walls or green roofs.
- 13:31 -19:17 - Building a Climate-Neutral District - Glasgow City Innovation District is a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration located in the centre of Glasgow and developed into a partnership that the university is leading with the local authority, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, and Entrepreneurial Scotland to bring innovation into the city centre space. Dr. Yarr'r role in the team is to make the district climate-neutral, which means achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
- 19:27 -24:21 - Building a Climate-Neutral District - In 2018, Dr. Roddy Yarr successfully delivered a £20m Combined Heating and Power scheme at the university's main campus by installing a district energy scheme using state-of-the-art technology to reduce the university’s carbon footprint in the generation of hot water and electricity.
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