A GREEN portfolio could see £30 billion invested into projects in Glasgow, including a metro and garden over the M8 at Charing Cross.

The council has published its “Greenprint for Investment” prospectus 50 days ahead of the city hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) at the end of October.

The ambitious collection of public works includes projects that would enhance Glasgow's green-credentials and are key, the local authority said, to achieving its net-zero target in 2030.

 

Among the projects are proposals to scale up the Clyde Climate Forest by 9000 hectares and to roll-out a retrofit to insulate homes across the city.

The Glasgow Metro would connect the city centre with the eight local authorities that make up the wider region. Plans were given a boost earlier this year when they were included in Transport Scotland’s Strategic Transport Review.

The Charing Cross garden roof project, which has seen several iterations over the years, would see a cap built over a portion of the motorway.

While currently the M8 cuts through the West End from the city centre, the plans aim to reconnect them by reclaiming the space between Woodlands Road through to St Vincent Street for pedestrians.

Glasgow Times: A map of the proposed Glasgow Metro A map of the proposed Glasgow Metro

There are also proposals to harness the power of the Clyde to create a district heating network. 

A similar project is already operational in Clydebank, the first large-scale water source heat pump scheme of its kind in Scotland.

As part of the Clyde Climate Forest 18 million trees will be planted over the next decade in inter-connected woodlands across the city as well as East and West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, and North and South Lanarkshire council areas.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “All cities face huge change. Glasgow’s challenges are typical of those of so many of our global peers.

Glasgow Times: Susan AitkenSusan Aitken

"As cities rebuild to decarbonise, we can be the demonstrator in shaping those solutions.

“The success of COP26 will be measured by how cities can take the practical steps necessary to secure the future of our planet. Our Greenprint provides a major part of our roadmap to doing just that.”

Glasgow’s Greenprint for Investment prospectus can be viewed here.