Independent research organisation The James Hutton Institute has set out a target to reach net zero emissions from its activities by 2035.
In its new Climate Action Plan 2035 [2], the Hutton also commits to reach net zero emissions from other indirect sources, such as emissions from suppliers, by 2040.
In addition, it has a target to increase the proportion of its suppliers with net zero emissions targets by 5% of its total spending, year on year.
The South of Scotland has joined a national network of flux towers, with a unique project, involving the Hutton, allowing greenhouse gases to be measured as the land changes from commercial forestry crops to restored peatland.
The 14-metre flux tower is the first-ever installed in the south of Scotland and sits within a commercial forestry crop planted upon deep peat soil.
Rivers in Scotland’s west and northwest could be the most sensitive to climate change and should be monitored more closely, according to a new study by scientists at The James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen.
Crofters from the Outer Hebrides keen to control livestock disease on their island, have visited Shetland to learn about a scheme targeting diseases including sheep scab.
The Lewis and Harris crofters visited the Shetland Animal Health Scheme to see how it works and meet key personnel, with support from scientists at The James Hutton Institute and Moredun Research Institute, as part of a collaborative project with the Scottish Government’s Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC).
This article first appeared in The Herald on 21/02/2024
Dr. Susan McCallum, blueberry researcher at the James Hutton Institute
The closure of one of Perthshire’s best-known berry growers was a devastating blow to the soft fruit industry in Scotland last week. Leadketty Farm has been home to the Corrigall family for 80 years and employed more than 100 people each summer during berry picking season.
Researchers at The James Hutton Institute are working with a community-owned woodland in Aberdeenshire to explore how people can take a greater role in deciding how solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises are used in their local environments.
The project, involving Murray Park Community Woodland in Alford, is one of seven across Europe and Scandinavia as part of £4.6 million international project called “COEVOLVERS”.
Environmental scientists at The James Hutton Institute have launched the first nation-wide drug and microplastics test on Scotland’s rivers to help shed light on the increasing mix of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics entering our waters.
The Scottish Government-funded study is testing for a cocktail of chemicals, from pesticides to antidepressants, to help reveal areas of concern, such as rivers or specific contaminants, that need closer monitoring.
The James Hutton Institute’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Science Professor Deb Roberts has been appointed to the board of the Scottish Land Commission [10](SLC).
The Commission’s role is to stimulate fresh thinking and change in how Scotland, as a nation, owns and uses land, and to advise the Scottish Government on an ongoing programme of land reform.
The James Hutton Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Alison Lees as Head of Department for Cell & Molecular Sciences.
Dr Lees is a senior plant pathologist and previously led the Epidemiology & Disease Control research group within CMS. She has extensive research experience, focusing primarily on the epidemiology, detection, and management of potato diseases. Alison has a particular interest in Integrated Pest Management and has a notable track record in industry collaborative research.
Skiers keen for slick runs are leaving toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” behind on ski slopes, research by The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and the University of Graz in Austria has revealed.
Fourteen different types of the chemical, commonly used in ski wax, were found in soils at family skiing spots in the Austrian Alps at levels far higher than in areas not normally used for skiing.
Links:
[1] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/hutton-sets-targets-net-zero-emissions
[2] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Hutton%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf
[3] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/first-ever-flux-tower-forested-peat-measure-landscape-scale-emissions
[4] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/study-raises-concerns-over-rising-river-temperatures-scotland
[5] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/scottish-islands-share-sheep-scab-challenge-solutions
[6] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/saving-scotland%E2%80%99s-soft-fruit-science
[7] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/aberdeenshire-community-help-shape-new-nature-schemes
[8] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/first-scotland-wide-drugs-and-microplastics-test-rivers-launched
[9] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/hutton%E2%80%99s-director-science-becomes-land-commissioner
[10] https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/
[11] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/dr-alison-lees-appointed-head-department-cell-molecular-sciences
[12] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/news/pfas-%E2%80%9Cforever-chemicals%E2%80%9D-being-spread-world%E2%80%99s-ski-slopes
[13] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=1
[14] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=2
[15] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=3
[16] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=4
[17] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=5
[18] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=6
[19] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=7
[20] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=8
[21] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/node?page=238