Rural and Environment

  • Clean Air Day

    17th June 2021 by

    Short quote from Environment Minister welcoming Clean Air Day 2021.

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  • Update on Environmental Standards Scotland

    4th December 2020 by

    Chair and members put forward for appointment. The Scottish Government has today announced its intention to recommend the former Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Jim Martin, as Chair of Scotland’s new environmental body, Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS). It is proposed that the Chair will be supported by four other members with experience of the environment sector…

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  • In conversation: Natural Environment Minister Marie Gougeon discusses the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy

    26th November 2020 by

    We spoke to Marie Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, about the Scottish Government’s recently published Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy.                                                                                      …

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  • Sustainable Tourism

    19th September 2020 by

    Blog piece from Rural Economy & Tourism Secretary on Sustainable Tourism as part of Climate Week

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  • Keeping essential services running during the coronavirus pandemic

    24th April 2020 by

    Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has written to those working in the waste and resources sector to thank them for keeping essential services running and for protecting the environment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The text of the letter is as follows: To those working in the waste and resources sector I am writing to thank…

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  • In the news: Circular Economy Bill

    21st January 2020 by

    You may have seen in The Scotsman today an opinion piece from James MacKenzie regarding our proposals for a Circular Economy Bill. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A thriving circular economy presents enormous economic and industrial opportunities for Scotland, as well as significant environmental benefits. For our journey towards becoming a net-zero society to be…

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  • Orkney leading the way on climate change

    15th August 2019 by

    The parliamentary recess provides a valuable opportunity for Scottish Government ministers to spend even more time meeting communities across the country. This week I visited the beautiful Orkney islands to see and hear first-hand how Orcadians are rising to the challenges of climate change unique to island communities and capitalising on innovation in the shared…

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  • Climate change cabinet, green infrastructure funding and timber transport

    9th August 2019 by

    Climate change-themed travelling cabinet During this week’s travelling cabinet, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has officially opened a new £6 million project which uses cutting-edge renewables technology to harness energy from waste water. Ms Sturgeon launched the Stirling District Heat Network project while visiting the city as part of the 50th Travelling Cabinet. The project, which…

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  • This week: 19/07/19

    19th July 2019 by

    Disposable cups An expert panel in Scotland has issued a report recommending a charge on disposable drinks cups as a method of reducing single cup use. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Disposable cups present an obvious littering issue, but there is ever-growing awareness within our society of the impact single-use plastic has on our wider…

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  • This week: 31/5/19

    31st May 2019 by

    Attracting new entrant farmers More public sector land has been released to people who want to become farmers, following a Scottish Government scheme. Around 6,400 hectares of land has been made available from public bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Water, Highland and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils….

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