In the name of climate #15: Glasgow knows what's what when it comes to the environment

The city of Glasgow, in South West Scotland, has a long and significant industrial history, but it has transformed into an example of sustainability in just a few decades, which is why it was chosen by the United Kingdom to host the COP26 climate conference. Considered a model of sustainable development that many other cities in the world could follow, the city — with over 660,000 inhabitants — is now rethinking its homes and public transportation, as well as the function of its river.

At the beginning of the 20th century, one fifth of the world’s ships were built in Glasgow, but the vast development of industrial production led to societal issues, which after WWII led to a drastic drop in the average life expectancy.

Glasgow's transformation and recovery began in the 1980s. The city changed its financial model, progressively moving from industrial production to services, while in recent decades, it has become increasingly sustainable, acting on various fronts.

The River Clyde — which runs through the city and was for decades, together with the port, the starting point for the city’s vast industrial production — has been transformed into the main source of a new district heating system for the entire surrounding area. Glasgow is also converting its bus depot into the largest electric vehicle charging station in the United Kingdom.

In 2020, the city was named Global Green City, a very prestigious award received during the Global Forum on Human Settlements, an event on climate change supported by the United Nations Environmental Program. By 2030, Glasgow plans to achieve carbon neutrality. In just the time between 2006 and 2020, it lowered emissions by 41 percent, far exceeding the targets it had set for itself.

The awareness developed around the environment is also thanks to the fact that, due to the way it is laid out and the River Clyde, various areas are at risk of flooding, and in the past there have been instances when some areas of Glasgow flooded because of heavy rainfall. This is also why city institutions pay close attention to the issue of climate change.