Rural and Environment

  • This week: 22/2/19

    22nd February 2019 by

    Scotland’s International Marine Conference Scotland is leading the way in tackling marine litter, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told international delegates attending Scotland’s International Marine Conference in Glasgow this week. The First Minister announced a £175,200 campaign promoting the use of re-usable sanitary products to reduce the more than 100 billion pieces of sanitary waste disposed...

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  • This week: 15/02/19

    15th February 2019 by

    Biodiversity Challenge Fund Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announces a £2 million Biodiversity Challenge Fund. Funding will be used to create new habitats, and improve existing ones, safeguarding our native species and encouraging more access to nature. Read more Rural Economy Action Group A new group tasked with bringing the rural economy to the forefront of...

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  • Weekly round-up: 18/01/19

    18th January 2019 by

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing met with NFUS to reiterate his ‘absolute commitment’ to maintain LFASS funding at least at 80% in 2020 and to explore ways to potentially maintain the real level of support at c.100% for the next 2 scheme years.   Fergus Ewing and Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon met DEFRA reps...

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  • In the news: protecting Scotland’s nature

    3rd January 2019 by

    Conservation groups have called for stronger climate action to protect Scotland’s unique habitats and species, in a story you may have seen in the news today. The joint report by WWF Scotland and Scottish Environment LINK focuses on the impact our changing climate is having on species in five specific habitats across the country.  A...

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  • In the news: Farmers on the frontline of climate change

    27th December 2018 by

    You may have seen in the news today that WWF Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to provide greater leadership and support to Scotland’s farmers to help them adapt to the challenges of a rapidly changing climate. This comes as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming called for...

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  • In the news: climate change and business

    24th December 2018 by

    Findings released by World Wildlife Foundation Scotland today suggests that small to medium-sized businesses feel less prepared for the risks of climate change compared to larger businesses. The survey of 300 businesses shows that only 2 in 5 of Scotland’s smaller firms feel prepared for risks posed by climate change, while over three-quarters of larger businesses stated they are either fully or partly prepared.

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  • Weekly round-up: 14/12/18

    14th December 2018 by

    COP 2 The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP24, took place in Poland this week. Climate Change and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham attended to underline the measures and future actions the Scottish Government’s is taking in the fight against climate change. Just Transition members announced The first members of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission were announced,...

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  • Ivan McKee: Steps towards Carbon Neutrality

    10th December 2018 by

    We all know the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change – that has been clear for a while now. What is becoming increasingly apparent is the extent to which this offers an economic opportunity for Scotland. Being at the forefront of the global transition to carbon-neutrality means...

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  • In the news: Marine litter

    29th November 2018 by

    This morning the Marine Conservation Society published its 25th Great British Beach Clean – a mass participation beach clean and survey event – that found there’s more litter on Scottish beaches than last year. The beach clean, which took place in September, saw volunteers remove 2,503kg of litter from Scottish beaches. In total, more than 75,000 items were picked up along the 15,680 meters of surveyed coastline, and found that cotton bud sticks at their highest level for eight years.

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  • Tackling marine plastics

    29th October 2018 by

    Scotland has shown leadership in resource use, increase in recycling and reduction in waste because we understand that we cannot continue to ignore the impact we are having on the natural world. The Blue Planet and Drowning in Plastics programmes brought home the horrific reality of that impact. Taking action on plastic waste and furthering our aims for a circular economy for the benefit of a global society is a crucial part of our agenda. That is why Scotland has taken the lead on plastics and will continue to do so.

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