Small changes: what MSPs are doing to protect the environment

John Scott (Conservative)

I have for several years now combined exercise with litter-picking. While in Ayr, I pick up litter every morning while out walking before breakfast and, while in Edinburgh, I pick up litter most mornings, either in the St Leonards area or Holyrood Park, before coming into work.

In future: With regard to lifestyle changes, I intend to travel more by public transport than I have previously.

Mark Ruskell (Green)

We live in an old Victorian semi with no gas. Over time, it’s had more insulation and glazing works done. We installed a new biomass cooker stove a few years ago, which is great – by the time you have cooked a meal on it, the house is warm and there’s tons of hot water. Transport in a rural area with a family remains a challenge. We bought a second-hand electric car this year and it’s made a big difference, but I still cycle and get the train to parliament. We haven’t felt the need to fly away on holiday for years; there always seems to be a UK or European adventure a car journey away.

In future: I’m making the shift to a more flexitarian diet and have cut back meat and dairy by around half – we’ll see where that goes. After a break, I’m about to start keeping bees again, which is a great way to understand how the local ecology ticks as well as putting something back in. I also like honey.

Rhoda Grant (Labour)

Improved the insulation of my house. I walk whenever possible – good for my health and the environment.

In future: More home insulation!

Gillian Martin (SNP)

Two years ago, I waved goodbye to my beloved petrol Mini One and replaced it with one of the lowest emissions hybrids available. I also take the train from my constituency to Edinburgh, and cycle around Edinburgh when I’m here. At home, we compost all our food and organic waste, and we don’t use traditional laundry detergent but a laundry egg. We also grow a lot of our vegetables (with mixed success). We also try to fix things when they break down instead of throwing them out. I like to try and keep the central heating down, or off. I’d rather be wrapped in a blanket watching TV than sitting in a T-shirt with the heating up full bung. We never go a beach walk without something to collect litter in – every dog walk is a mini litter pick in my family.

In future: Once my hybrid car lease is up, I am hoping to go fully electric. That’s the big one. My constituency is huge and I can’t possibly get around it using public transport, so that’s going to make a massive difference to my carbon footprint.

Donald Cameron (Conservative)

I’ve definitely tried to recycle a lot more. Having a family with young children means that we have required to step-up our recycling efforts given the amount of waste we produce!

In future: I’m going to try and drive less and take the train more – not easy representing an area like the Highlands and islands, but that in itself tells its own story. In terms of behavioural change, it can be harder for those in rural and remote areas to alter their habits, especially when it comes to transport.

Liam McArthur (Lib Dem)

There are limits to what I can do to reduce air travel without seriously impacting my ability to represent my constituents, but at home, I’ve replaced our petrol estate car with a hybrid, bought a bike for cycling into parliament and reduced paper use in my office by using ‘digital packs’ for committee meetings and other parliamentary business. I’ve stopped using disposable coffee cups and recycle as much of what is used in my office as possible.

by Liam Kirkaldy

Communities, Housing & Planning

Scotland has world-leading climate targets, but are they enough?

In future: Hydrogen ferries and less polluting aircraft fuel are probably still a little way off, but on their way and I will lend what support I can to those initiatives and other efforts locally in Orkney to see our islands continue to play a leading role in decarbonising transport, heat and sectors such as agriculture. Meantime, I’m determined to walk/cycle more while at home in Orkney. [And I’m] identifying ‘green’ energy options for my office as well as continuing to reduce/eliminate paper use.

Maurice Golden (Conservative)

Recycling everything I can and reducing my food waste by making shopping lists, freezing more, planning portions and making new dishes from leftovers.

In future: Go on more litter picks and get my compost bin going again.

Claudia Beamish (Labour)

I cycle when I can from the Scottish Parliament to my flat, which has the co-benefit of improving my mental and physical wellbeing – especially going along the canal towpath. We have bought a small hybrid car and will move to electric once I am confident enough about charging points across south Scotland. I have changed my diet to being a flexitarian. I am also considering my fashion footprint and mixing my wardrobe more creatively rather than buying more and almost always buy second-hand clothes when I do buy. I have done a lot of wildlife planting in our largish garden and very small woodland, including a seed mixture to encourage the bat colony which lives in our roof. We let swallows build their nests in the window corners – a bit messy but magical! It’s lovely and very therapeutic to watch all the wildlife including hares and moths.

In future: My partner and I are downsizing and going ‘eco’ by renovating a small part of our very old house before selling the main part. We started with Enviroblocks for the dividing wall. I will keep on asking myself about the effects of my actions.

Angus MacDonald (SNP)

I have taken lots of small steps which will hopefully have a positive cumulative impact such as making sure electrical items are not left on standby in my home and office, walking within my constituency more often instead of taking the car, flying less, and at parliamentary level, I have been very supportive of groups lobbying for a deposit return scheme.

In future: Although it goes against the grain, coming from a farming background, I intend to significantly reduce my meat consumption. I also intend to purchase a new electric or hybrid car when replacing my current diesel car within the next couple of years.
 

Emma Harper (SNP)

Of course, I absolutely understand the urgency and need for swift action to be taken to stop climate change and I am pleased that this Scottish Government have recognised the climate emergency. Personally, I try to do all I can to protect the environment. A few of the small everyday things include using a reusable cup when buying coffee. I am also conscious of energy use and do not leave devices on standby, and always turn lights off as I leave a room. At home, I also ensure that all rubbish is dealt with properly and recycled where possible. In terms of my parliamentary work, I am currently exploring options of anaerobic digesters to deal with dog poo. These are being used around other parts of the UK – and in particular, Malvern – to power street lighting which reduces both the need for energy, as well as costs to local authorities. My office also tries, as much as possible, to be electronic and avoids printing out hard copy documents.

In future: I am always happy to look at suggestions and will continue to do all I can to be environmentally aware. It is so important for us all to do our bit.