The University of Strathclyde, insurance group AIG, and Aberdeen-based Wood have formed a partnership which will support cities and businesses as they transition to zero-carbon economies while improving resilience to climate change and extreme weather.
Zero carbon economy means that no carbon emissions are being produced. A zero-carbon economy or decarbonised economy is an economy based on zero-carbon power sources that therefore has no output of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere, specifically carbon dioxide.
The partners will work with cities including COP26 host Glasgow, Milan and Pittsburgh, and a range of industries from energy to telecoms to develop strategies for improved sustainability and resilience. Other cities in the Global North and Global South are expected to join the partnership.
The group’s work will build on the Infrastructure Resilience Framework created by AIG and Wood, which was publicly endorsed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at its 2019 Bridge for Cities 4.0 event.
Richard Bellingham, Director, Institute for Future Cities at Strathclyde said: “Cities have an essential and leading role to play in tackling and in responding to the challenges of climate change.
We are privileged to be working in partnership with leading cities from the Global North and Global South to help meet their priorities, and accelerate progress – including Strathclyde’s home city and COP26 host, Glasgow.
“In the spirit of the UN SDGs, AIG, Wood, Strathclyde and our partner cities are creating a strong and diverse partnership between business, cities, communities, and innovative research institutions to deliver real and swift progress. AIG, Wood and Strathclyde offer significant complementary expertise that can catalyse change.
“We will seek to realise quick wins that balance the needs of cities, communities and businesses. We and our partners recognise that we need to be in this for the long term – achieving resilient net-zero outcomes will require significant application of resources and determination to transform all sectors.”
Resilient infrastructure
Rhodri Williams, Head of International Public Policy at AIG, said: “The partnership combines AIG’s risk expertise and the insurance solutions it provides to low-carbon energy and resilient infrastructure projects with the Wood’s leading engineering solutions and the Institute for Future Cities’ holistic sustainability strategies and international relationships.
“As cities and corporations worldwide face increased pressure to reduce carbon emissions, our work will help advance sustainability efforts that will have significant impact into the future”.
Joe Sczurko, Executive President of Wood’s Consulting business, said: “Achieving the G7 leaders’ bold vision for a net-zero future and effectively tackling the impacts of climate change require collaborative partnerships to drive innovation, deliver transformational value, and create a more sustainable future.
“We are delighted to partner with AIG and the University of Strathclyde to create bold, differentiated solutions that will forge the path to global carbon neutrality and help shape the resilience of critical infrastructure.
“Our partnership with AIG and the University of Strathclyde demonstrates the power of collaborating across multiple sectors and with a broad range of stakeholders to drive sustainable and resilient solutions.”