Massive Boost to Scotland’s Sustainability

Earth from Space The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) today congratulated the Scottish Executive on an important step forward on sustainable development, with the publication of "Choosing our future: Scotland’s sustainable development strategy".

Launched by key Scottish Ministers at Echline Primary School, South Queensferry, the strategy will bring tangible progress on sustainability in key areas:

• All Scottish schools will integrate education on sustainable development into the new curriculum
• The Executive will not only offset its business travel emissions, but will also reduce business travel emissions by 5% over the next 5 years
• The Executive will develop a comprehensive communications plan for the strategy, in partnership with Scottish NGOs, local authorities, the Sustainable Development Commission, Defra, SEPA and SNH
• The Sustainable Development Commission in Scotland will be strengthened with additional funding, and will monitor and publicly assess performance against the strategy

The launch marks the next decisive phase following on from Scotland’s commitment to the UK-wide Strategic Framework for sustainable development at the SDC’s March conference in Edinburgh, attended by First Minister Jack McConnell.

Hugh Raven, Commissioner for SDC in Scotland, said: “This strategy is an impressive achievement. We’re especially pleased that the Executive has been so inclusive in pulling this together with the early engagement and support of key stakeholders.”

Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the SDC, welcomed the enhanced status of the SDC and additional funding to increase the size of the Secretariat in Scotland alongside the encouragement for Scottish Ministers and departments to draw on SDC expertise. The Commission will also be supported to have stronger partnership arrangements with key organisations such as the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum.

Jonathon Porritt, said: “This represents a highly significant opportunity to establish the SDC in Scotland in a way that has simply not been possible before. The opportunity must be seized urgently and purposefully. One small but symbolic proposal that the Commission has agreed is to formally describe the organisation as ‘the Sustainable Development Commission in Scotland’. We look forward to working with the Scottish Executive to help develop consistency across Government, as well as specific targets and timed action plans to truly get this into gear.”

» View the strategy: "Choosing our future: Scotland’s sustainable development strategy"

» Scottish Executive News Release

» Echline Primary School - An Eco-primary school invloved in waste minimisation, environmental education streams and wider community engagement.