Projects and Initiatives

The following are examples of some of the projects and initiatives undertaken by the Council.

Thriving Cities Initiative

The Thriving Cities Initiative (TCI) is run by C40, a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis. TCI works with cities to help achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement and improves equity, quality of life and economic livelihoods through addressing unsustainable consumption. As a TCI city, Glasgow has committed to co-create solutions including governance, policy, and communication strategies to inspire collective behavioural change. This includes the development of a City Portrait which creates a vision of the City where people and the environment mutually thrive.

• Glasgow Digital Doughnut (glasgow-doughnut.co.uk)

Solar PV Programme

At present, Glasgow City Council has installed solar PV on rooftops at 27 sites, which are listed in the table below.

A further 8 solar PV installations are currently under construction, shown as "Phase 1" on the Solar PV Opportunity Map.  These sites were subject to feasibility studies to ensure their viability for delivery. A further 38 sites have undergone feasibility studies and are shown as "Phase 2" on the Solar PV Opportunity Map. Phase 2 sites will be further assessed for viability to proceed to delivery. 

Wind Opportunity Mapping

An initial feasibility study has been conducted to assess the potential for wind energy generation across several sites in the Glasgow area. The Wind Opportunity Map outlines 8 sites which have previously undergone first pass feasibility studies, along with a wind turbine which is currently in operation.  Sites marked "aviation check" have undergone screening but require input from the local airport to identify potential impact on radar equipment, along with the associated mitigation required to proceed.  This would likely be the key factor in setting the parameters with regards to size and exact position of these sites.

It should be noted that Glasgow's wind opportunity mapping was carried out as an independent feasibility exercise.  At this stage, Glasgow City Council are not committed to developing wind energy generation on any of the presented sites.

Circular Cities Declaration

Glasgow City Council signed the Circular Cities Declaration in July 2021.  This is a commitment by cities and regions to use the levers at their disposal coherently across their organisation to transition from a linear to a circular economy.

Climate Literacy Training

Climate Literacy Training is a programme designed to raise awareness about the costs and impacts of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from everyday activities. The goal is to empower individuals, communities, and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint. The programme has so far been rolled out amongst Glasgow City Council senior staff and Elected Members.

Glasgow's Low Emission Zone

The Low Emission Zone 

Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre - GRREC

• Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre - GRREC
• Viridor website

Electric Vehicles

Glasgow is driving ahead with its effort to create a zero emissions fleet of vehicles.

The Fleet strategy sets out proposals that all the council's 2000 vehicles should by emissions free by the end of 2029. It is intended that only electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, across all sizes and classifications, will be used to deliver crucial city services by 2030.

Glasgow has taken delivery of a fully electric bin lorry.

Cheaper to run and easier to maintain than its diesel equivalent, the lorry can support up to 1600 daily household bin collections and with the potential to remove between 20 and 25 tonnes of waste each day.  One of the first electric bin lorries in Scotland, it will operate on a zero emissions basis.

The vehicle can run on a single daily charge and it is expected the energy required for a daily round will cost up to 70% less than traditional fuel. With fewer working parts within the lorry, fewer repairs will be required.

Further information on our website.

The council has also installed Electric Vehicle chargers for public use and more information can be found here.

Circular Innovation City Challenge

In 2021 Glasgow City Council was an integral member of the Circular Innovation City Challenge working group and selection panel. This project sought to uncover digital and data driven solutions to enhance circularity in the city context. This project was conducted in collaboration with Danish Design Center, Leaderlab, the Danish Business Authority and Ellen MacArthur Foundation together with the five partner cities - New York, Toronto, Amsterdam, Glasgow, and Copenhagen.

The challenge was developed to discover market-ready innovative solutions, with the potential to help create circular and thriving cities. The solutions in the final submission were cross-sectoral identifying innovative approaches to the way in which we deal with issues like procurement, surplus materials, and business and consumer behaviour.

• More than 137 digital and data-driven circular solutions were submitted from more than 26 countries across the five continents.
• 15 finalists pitched their digital and data-driven solutions for cities and international jury members.
• A total of five final winners were selected by our international jury (about the winners).
• The five winning innovators are now exploring public private innovation collaboration opportunities with the cities.

The Glasgow Green Deal

The Green Deal is a roadmap for the city - a nine-year mission to transform the city's economy to tackle the climate emergency.

• News Article
• Committee Paper

Glasgow's Community Renewable Energy Framework

Glasgow's Community Renewable Energy Framework (CREF) is an initiative that aims to support increased generation of energy from renewable sources by identifying a portfolio of sites which are suitable for community led renewable energy development and outlining the process by which communities can work with the Council. This will help the City to decarbonise energy provision, meet our Net Zero Carbon 2030 target, and support and empower communities to take climate action that they can directly benefit from.  

Suitable sites have been identified for marketing to community groups and work has been undertaken to address barriers in making sites available for transfer for renewables projects. The Framework was approved by the City Administration Committee in September 2024 and sites will soon be taken to Contracts and Property Committee for approvals, after which an engagement event for communities will be held to launch the sites and framework.