Associate feature: Keeping Scotland beautiful

The first nine months of 2020 have challenged us all.

The Scottish Parliament we elect in May 2021 will face the task not only of driving a truly green recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 but also of charting a course to net-zero emissions, effectively tackling the scourge of litter and protecting the places and heritage that have supported our health and wellbeing during the pandemic.

That’s why Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling for all parties to commit to a range of ambitious actions during the upcoming parliament which will help secure a clean, green and sustainable future for all of us while also putting communities and young people at the heart of our recovery.

Firstly, we are calling for parties to commit to convening a litter emergency summit and focus on solutions to the historic and current decline in Scotland’s local environmental quality, including a new litter strategy and neighbourhood-focused education and engagement programme.

Secondly, in addition to bold action to decarbonise key sectors such as buildings and transport, we are calling for parties to commit to making Scotland a carbon literate country through a programme of climate education and training for all, ensuring that everyone has a stake in our transition to net-zero emissions and knows the actions they can take to help.

Finally, we want to see additional investment to protect our green and blue spaces and their connecting green corridors, as well as a national programme of green prescribing to support wellbeing and increase people’s connectedness with their local built and natural heritage.

 Over the next few months, I will be reaching out to MSPs of all parties to gather support for our plan for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Scotland.

If you would like to discuss our manifesto asks, please do contact me.

Barry Fisher is the CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful

ceo@keepscotlandbeautiful.org

The article was sponsored by Keep Scotland Beautiful