2017-2018 Programme for government green commitments an important first step towards UN Sustainable Development Goals

1st January 1970

5 September 2017 – Scottish Environment LINK members warmly welcome measures to safeguard Scotland’s environment outlined in the Scottish Government’s programme for government. Clean air and transport, tackling climate change and reducing waste as well as promoting eco-innovation are key areas of action that can deliver benefits for everyone in Scotland.

“Scotland’s pledge to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals needs to be backed up with real actions and the programme for government announced today is a very important first step towards putting in place much needed reforms”, said Helen Todd, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK.

“We hope that this programme for government will mark the beginning of even further bold action to make our vision for a sustainable and low carbon Scotland a reality. The environment cannot be seen in isolation or as separate to policies for the economy, agriculture, fisheries, transport, innovation or planning. Our environment is – quite literally- the air we breathe, the food we grow and eat, the water we drink and the land we live in and enjoy”, added Helen.

Today’s environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity illustrate all too clearly that we can no longer afford to legislate in silos. This is why LINK members have been calling for the strengthening of the National Performance Framework as a tool for ensuring that policies are fit for purpose. We hope that the upcoming review of the Framework will not only align it with the UN Sustainable Development Goals but that it will also launch a debate about how it can be used as a useful metric for how our policies match up against our vision for Scotland.

As the First Minister stated, to protect human rights, we need to safeguard environmental rights. Legislation that takes into account the environment and environmental limits is essential for our future prosperity. LINK members will continue working with government and elected officials towards this end.

Contact details
Daphne Vlastari, LINK Advocacy officer
0131 225 4345/0757 211 22 79 or daphne@scotlink.org

Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.

LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.

Visit us at www.scotlink.org or follow us on @ScotLINK

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