Sustainable Scotland Taskforce

26 January 2011, , Parliamentary Briefings

Oral Evidence on United Kingdom Energy Bill legislative consent memorandum

Elizabeth Leighton, senior policy officer with WWF Scotland, gave evidence on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on the United Kingdom Energy Bill legislative consent memorandum.

16 November 2010, LINK, Position Papers

Protecting the Environment in a Time of Cuts

This paper summarises the LINK network’s views on how and why Government should aim to protect Scotland’s environment in the leaner economic climate ahead

Challenging spending decisions lie ahead for the public sector in Scotland as a consequence of the Westminster Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the Independent Budget Review (IBR) and the Scottish Budget Bill, to be published in November 2010. Scottish Environment LINK understands this situation and hopes to contribute fully and realistically to the consequent debates. We aim to provide government and its agencies with realistic comment and advice in this difficult period. We reiterate the principles we set out...

5 November 2008, LINK, Press Releases

Investing in the Environment Makes Sound Financial Sense

Scotland\'s environment movement today (Wednesday 5th November) called on government to ensure Scotland\'s environment is properly protected in order to secure the economic gains it provides. A new report, Valuing our Environment, launched today, shows that sustainable use of our environment underpins the economy by £17.2 billion a year, or more than a tenth of the country\'s economic output.

1 November 2008, LINK, Position Papers

Valuing Our Environment

The natural environment is one of Scotland’s greatest assets, making a major contribution to economic growth and quality of life. . The research calculated for the first time the economic impact of Scotland’s natural environment as well as identifying wider benefits of the environment to businesses and the economy. The full research report (The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Natural Environment) can be found at www.snh.org.uk

This publication summarises research carried out by a partnership led by Scottish Natural and including Scottish Environment LINK

13 May 2007, LINK Sustainable Scotland Taskforce, Parliamentary Briefings

Greener Scotland Debate

Managing our environment well is integral to successful governance, as a rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage is the cornerstone of a high quality sustainable economy. If done properly, looking after our environment and preserving our natural resources can enhance economic activity. For example, maintaining healthy seas ensures a sustainable fishing industry and enhances wildlife tourism. On land, the Scottish countryside is a major attraction for tourists and brings in £3.6 billion in revenue annually. In some cases, such as tackling climate change, investment is essential and can kick start new industries – such as the renewable energy industry.

Briefing for the Executive 'Greener Scotland' debate

24 November 2006, LINK, Position Papers

Scotland - the Best Small Country in the World?

In terms of the planet’s ecology, whether or not Scotland is the best small country means something very different from what the glossy brochures intend and, at one level, it means very little...

A report by Ed Douglas, for LINK Congress 2006

13 July 2006, LINK, Consultation Responses

Scotland's National Transport Strategy

In its current form this strategy will do little to halt the growth in road traffic and the damaging environmental impacts made by carbon emissions, increased road building and air travel. We call on the Executive to produce a finished strategy that is a far-sighted and inspiring programme of measures to tackle oil dependency, reduce road traffic, protect the environment and improve the health of the nation and, in so doing, position Scotland at the forefront of eco-friendly transport in Europe.

Response to the Executives 'Scotland's National Transport Strategy: A Consultation'

1 June 2006, LINK Freshwater Taskforce, Parliamentary Briefings

Living within Environmental Limits

In order to keep our water environment healthy, we need reliable and sustainable water services. However, in some parts of our country, the amount of water being abstracted and lost through leakage is unsustainable, and damaging to wildlife and the environment. Some areas of Scotland still suffer from pollution caused by inadequate treatment of sewage and by sewer flooding. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) estimates that 2062km of rivers, coastal waters and estuaries are at risk from sewage pollution and other Scottish Water (SW) related activities.

10 April 2006, LINK Sustainable Scotland Taskforce, Consultation Responses

Household Waste Prevention

We have long called for greater attention to be given to tackling waste arisings to complement the investment and progress that is being made in improving Scotland’s recycling record. Preventing waste at source will play an important part in meeting the aspirations of the Executive’s recently published Sustainable Development Strategy ‘Securing our Future’ to reduce Scotland’s footprint.

30 March 2005, LINK, Press Releases

LINK calls for Independent Body to Advise Executive on the Environment

Scottish Environment LINK, the umbrella group for Scotland’s environmental organisations, is calling for the creation of an independent body to ensure that Scotland is a world leader in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The call follows the introduction to the Scottish Parliament last week of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill, which LINK welcomes as a mechanism to protect and improve the Scottish Environment...

1 July 2004, LINK Sustainable Scotland Taskforce, Consultation Responses

Taking It On: Developing UK Sustainable Development Strategy Together

Response to the DEFRA consultation; Taking it on.

LINK believes that the UK and Scottish sustainable development strategies are central to preserving and enhancing our environment – and the biodiversity, countryside and cultural heritage that it sustains – and to reduce the adverse impact of UK consumption on other environments and societies around the globe. We therefore welcome the government’s plan to put in place a new UK strategic framework for sustainable development through to 2020, to provide both a consistent approach and focus across the UK and renewed action to deliver sustainable development goals. We particularly welcome the commitment to produce, in due course, a Sustainable Development Strategy for Scotland.

1 March 2003, LINK, Position Papers

For Better or Worse? Environment Policy in the First Four Years of Scotland’s Parliament.

The establishment of the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 brought not only new political institutions to Scotland, but also new aspirations and expectations of what might be achieved through the devolution settlement. Certainly the principle of devolution, and the specific powers vested in the Parliament, meant that it could address issues of importance to Scotland quicker than was previously the case, and with policies tailored specifically to Scottish needs and priorities.

This report, with input from many of the key players such as the Minister and Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, examines the way in which the Scottish Parliament and Executive have risen to the particular challenges posed by the issues of Environment and Sustainability, whether through legislation, policies, strategies, initiatives, action plans, reports or debates.

11 June 2002, LINK Sustainable Scotland Taskforce, Position Papers

Managing to be Sustainable

The aim of this one day conference was to help Scottish Business across all sectors become more competitive by identifying and assessing some of the current trends and indicating how Government could facilitate a shift towards sustainability to reflect some of the above opportunities. There were around 90 attendees and, whilst few businesses attended, many business-linked agencies were there.

1 June 2002, LINK, Position Papers

Must Try Harder

Scotland’s progress report on sustainability 1992-2002 - “must try harder”.

Political leaders will meet in Johannesburg in August 2002 for the World Summit on Sustainable Development “to take a critical look back at the Earth Summit, and aim to arrive at a comprehensive, frank and useful review of the past ten years.” It is the most important environment gathering since Rio. Scotland is one of the world’s over-consuming nations, using more of the world’s resources than is sustainable (see below).

Environmental groups in Scotland have undertaken a review of Scotland’s progress towards sustainable development. A progress report is published opposite, and conclusions in each of the four areas covered by the Rio agreements are given on the inside pages. On the back page is a ten point urgent action plan for the Scottish Executive.

30 October 2001, LINK,

Scottish Environment Audit 5: Tourism and the Natural Environment

This audit explores the relationship between tourism and the environment in Scotland. It looks at the contribution of Scotland's environment to attracting tourism revenue and of the effects of tourism on the environment.  It goes on to examine how conservation and enhancement of the environment could increase tourism benefits.

A hard copy of this report is available from LINK for a small fee of £3 to cover postage and packing.

30 March 2001, LINK,

Scottish Environment Audit 4: The Historic Environment

This Audit assesses the health of Scotland's historic environment.  Scotland's wealth of archaeology, historic buildings, designed landscapes, and other historic features are an important part of the nations image and consciousness.

A hard copy of this report is available from LINK for a small fee of £3 to cover postage and packing.

1 May 1999, LINK,

Scottish Environment Audit 3: Planning & Sustainable Development

This Audit addresses the town and country planning regime as a tool for sustainable development.  The audit focuses on the environmental sustainability of plannings interface with the natural heritage.

A hard copy of this report is available from LINK for a small fee of £3 to cover postage and packing.

1 January 1999, LINK,

Marine Fishfarming in Scotland

A discussion paper from 1988

Hard copies of this discussion paper are available on request from LINK