{"id":391,"date":"2018-10-03T11:28:45","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T10:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/?p=391"},"modified":"2018-12-04T11:16:25","modified_gmt":"2018-12-04T11:16:25","slug":"programme-for-government-2018-19-environmental-commitments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/2018\/10\/03\/programme-for-government-2018-19-environmental-commitments\/","title":{"rendered":"Programme for Government 2018\/19: Environmental commitments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Following the announcement of the 2018\/19 Programme for Government, I\u2019ve set out my key commitments to target the most pressing issues facing Scotland\u2019s environment today.<\/p>\n<p>From plastics and waste to marine protected areas, I\u2019ve provided a brief round-up of the measures being taken to address these issues.<\/p>\n<h2>Plastics and waste<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve all seen the damaging effect today\u2019s throwaway culture is having on our environment \u2013 something the Scottish Government has responded to by issuing a hard line on tackling waste.<\/p>\n<p>Building on our work to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, we\u2019ve appointed an Expert Panel on Environmental Charges and Other Measures. The Panel will work to identify the bold actions we need to take as consumers and producers to challenge our throwaway culture, including actions on disposable cups and plastic straws.<\/p>\n<p>In early 2019, Scotland will host an International Conference in Glasgow on improving and protecting our marine environment, focusing on reducing the level of marine plastics in our seas.\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-394 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/waste-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/waste-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/waste-1.jpg 526w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Cutting litter and pollution could reap significant economic benefits by developing the circular economy, and we\u2019ve therefore asked people for views on how a deposit return scheme for drinks containers should work.<\/p>\n<p>The views shared with us will be used to help design an effective system that will work well for everyone in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p>I was also delighted to recently announce a further investment of \u00a31 million \u2013 double the commitment of \u00a3500,000 set out in the Programme for Government \u2013 is now available to support solutions in marine plastics capture, collection and recovery.<\/p>\n<p>This includes funding from Marine Scotland to trial demonstration technologies in Scotland, aimed at addressing the issue of litter sinks and the removal of plastics from our seas.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll also be taking the next step of moving beyond drinks containers and consulting on what additional measures should be considered to improve the use and reuse of other materials.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about our <u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: blue; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/Topics\/Environment\/waste-and-pollution\/Waste-1\">waste and resources policy<\/a><\/span><\/u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Climate change adaptation programme<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-406 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"243\" height=\"162\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/climate-change-1.jpg 940w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 243px) 100vw, 243px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 243px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 243\/162;\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Inextricably linked to environmental waste is climate change, and I am committed to ensuring Scotland\u2019s communities, economy and natural environment remain as resilient as possible to this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Building on our world-leading work on climate change mitigation is a new five-year <\/span><u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: blue; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.gov.scot\/publications\/climate-ready-scotland-scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-fourth-annual\/pages\/5\/\">Climate Change Adaptation Programme<\/a><\/span><\/u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">, set to launch in 2019. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Biodiversity fund<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Our investment in the new Biodiversity Challenge Fund, worth up to \u00a32 million, builds on our commitment to create and improve habitats for key species and encourage increased access to nature.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">I\u2019m passionate about delivering Scotland\u2019s biodiversity strategy, and we strive to meet the \u2018Aichi\u2019 2020 international targets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Find out more about our <\/span><u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: blue; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.scot\/scotlands-biodiversity\">biodiversity strategy<\/a><\/span><\/u><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Scottish Water<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Scotland has always benefited from having access to some of the best quality water in Europe, and this is a privilege I\u2019m eager to build on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Therefore, in the coming year, Scottish Water will invest around \u00a3600 million in Scotland\u2019s water infrastructure. This will provide 1.35\u00a0billion litres of fresh, high quality drinking water every day, improving quality and resilience, and treating our waste water before returning it safely to the environment.\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-395 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water-717x512.jpg 717w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/water.jpg 910w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/214;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">We\u2019re consulting on the priorities for future investment by Scottish Water in the regulatory period 2021-27 and beyond. By working together, we can develop approaches to drainage with an aim to reducing the burden on the sewerage network, and therefore the need for expensive new infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Retaining more water in rivers and soils means we can improve the environment, support biodiversity and take steps to join the international trend towards BlueGreen cities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Marine Conservation<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 130%; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">In a continued effort to protect the marine environment, I\u2019m committed to carrying out a planned consultation on the creation of four new<\/span> <span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #005eb7; line-height: 130%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11.5pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/Topics\/marine\/marine-environment\/mpanetwork\">Marine Protected Areas<\/a><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 130%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11.5pt;\">. <\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 130%; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">These will be among the first sites in the world created to protect the Basking Shark, Minke Whale, and Risso\u2019s Dolphin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Alongside this, we\u2019re consulting on the creation of a national deep sea marine reserve, with the aim of this being in place by the end of 2019. This will protect some of the most vulnerable habitats and species on the planet, such as coral gardens and the Leafscale gulper shark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-398 alignleft lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/puffin.jpg 940w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">I also want to identify actions to address the significant declines seabird populations have suffered in recent years. I\u2019ll be introducing a new Seabird Conservation Strategy, and building on our work on plastics and waste I want to work with the fishing sector and coastal communities to develop proposals to tackle the issue of fishing litter and lost gear, which can impact the marine environment in a number of ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Animal welfare<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">In order to ensure we maintain high standards of animal welfare after Brexit, I\u2019ve placed a particular importance on establishing an Animal Welfare Commission. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">This will aim to provide expert advice on the welfare of domesticated and wild animals in Scotland. We\u2019ll also be taking steps to improve the efficiency and speed of which SPCA-protected animals are rehomed, and increasing sentences for serious animal cruelty \u2013 including attacks on police dogs, an initiative known as \u2018Finn\u2019s Law\u2019. <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-402 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/cattle.jpg 940w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">We\u2019ll continue work to introduce and reform licensing of animal activities &#8211; including animal sanctuaries, rehoming centres, breeding and the use of animals in public display or performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Improving Scotland\u2019s international reputation for high quality meat production will also be a key priority, and the Farm Animal Welfare Codes will be updated, alongside the introduction of compulsory video recording of slaughter in abattoirs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Land Reform <\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">I want to place an emphasis on encouraging and supporting communities in urban areas to consider opportunities to buy land and assets, and challenge the current ways in which Scotland\u2019s land is owned and used. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Community land purchases will be supported through our \u00a310 million per year Scottish Land Fund, including extending it until 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-446 alignleft lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/land-medium-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/land-medium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/land-medium-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/09\/land-medium.jpg 640w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/>The Scottish Land Commission will continue to receive funding to help shape the land reform agenda, and in the year ahead it will publish papers on key issues such as land value capture and ways to make it easier for communities to own land.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">The Commission will also publish codes of practice to help landowners and communities manage land in the most effective way, encouraging them to work together and promote change on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">We also want to work together to develop more ways of bringing more vacant and derelict land into productive use. We\u2019ll progress land reform by continuing to promote the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, as well as working with landowners and communities to follow our Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Crown Estate<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">I\u2019m committed to ensuring communities will also benefit from the net revenue from the Scottish Crown Estate marine assets<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #44546a; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">We will continue to progress t<\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">he Scottish Crown Estate Bill through the Scottish Parliament. <\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">The Bill allows for local control and decision-making over Crown assets, allowing wider socioeconomic and environmental benefits to be taken into account in land management as well as commercial interests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif; font-size: 18pt;\">Environmental strategy<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">Our ability to both maintain and protect Scotland\u2019s environment through bold actions has been supported by decades of EU action and collaboration: an achievement that Brexit places under threat.\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-314 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2018\/06\/landscape-192987_1280.jpg 1280w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">My reaction to this will be to continue to engage as much as possible over the next year on the strategic approach Scotland should take to environmental policy in the long term. I will be examining the actions we will need to take to safeguard the strong environmental protection and performance we currently have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;\">The feedback gained through the topical online discussion earlier this year is due to be published in late 2018. Further updates on the discussion of this strategy will be posted on this page.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following the announcement of the 2018\/19 Programme for Government, I\u2019ve set out my key commitments to target the most pressing issues facing Scotland\u2019s environment today. From plastics and waste to marine protected areas, I\u2019ve provided a brief round-up of the measures being taken to address these issues. Plastics and waste We\u2019ve all seen the damaging&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,14],"tags":[90,80,12,89,87,92,86,13,88,91],"class_list":["post-391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-change","category-environment","tag-animalwelfare","tag-climatechange","tag-environment","tag-marine","tag-pfg","tag-plastics","tag-programmeforgovernment","tag-rural","tag-ruraleconomy","tag-scottishwater"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Programme for Government 2018\/19: Environmental commitments - Rural and Environment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/rural-environment\/2018\/10\/03\/programme-for-government-2018-19-environmental-commitments\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Programme for Government 2018\/19: Environmental commitments - Rural and Environment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Following the announcement of the 2018\/19 Programme for Government, I\u2019ve set out my key commitments to target the most pressing issues facing Scotland\u2019s environment today. From plastics and waste to marine protected areas, I\u2019ve provided a brief round-up of the measures being taken to address these issues. 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