The Scottish Government

What can you do?

REDUCING SCOTLAND 'S FOOTPRINT

Scotland, like other developed countries, is using an unfair and unsustainable share of the world's resources.

An ecological footprint is an estimate of the land and sea area needed to provide all the energy, water, transport, food and materials that we consume. In 2001, the average Scot had an ecological footprint 2.4 times the global average. If everyone on Earth lived the same way, it is estimated that three planets would be needed to sustain us.

The actions and commitments in the strategy will help us to reduce the size of that footprint.

We will achieve these changes in Scotland only by learning and embracing new approaches to the way that we go about things

We must all learn to:

• respect the limits of the planet's environment, resources and biodiversity
• use resources as efficiently as possible - including reducing the need for them in the first place
• get much better at thinking about the long-term consequences of our actions - and their global as well as the national and local consequences

Businesses in Scotland can reduce their footprint by taking action to improve their productivity and competitiveness by using resources more efficiently. There is huge scope for improvement in Scotland. An estimated £1.3 billion is lost to the Scottish economy every year through energy wastage. In addition, the unproductive use of resources costs the manufacturing sector in Scotland around £300 million every year, which could be reduced by waste minimisation.

As consumers we need to consider the social, economic and environmental consequences of the products that we buy. Many of us are familiar with the power of the Fair Trade movement to change the social and economic impact of our spending in other countries. We also need to think about the climate change consequences of the products we buy from overseas. Most of the goods that we purchase are now manufactured in other parts of the world. The energy use and greenhouse gas emissions might be generated overseas but still reflect our choices, with consequences across the globe.

We need to build on people's growing awareness of social and environmental concerns, and the influence they have as citizens and consumers. One approach is to use the ecological footprint as a tool for increasing understanding of unsustainable consumption and learning how to make more sustainable choices. The Executive will continue to support the work of WWF and partner organisations to roll out this footprint approach to local authorities and schools across Scotland.

As part of the broader communication, education and engagement strategy the Executive will work with the UK Government, NGOs, retailers and others to encourage informed public debate around the environmental and social consequences of the goods and services consumers buy, supporting initiatives such as Environment Direct, a proposed new consumer information service, which is expected to be launched across the UK in late 2006.

We will commission an independent study of Scotland's footprint in 2008 (in advance of the next strategy).

MAKING THE LINKS: WHAT INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS IN SCOTLAND CAN DO

Individuals, families and households can make a positive contribution to sustainable development in very practical ways by taking steps to reduce the size of their environmental footprint. Individuals can also use their power as consumers, investors and electors to demand more sustainable goods and services. They can get involved in action to improve their local environment or make their community a healthier, more vibrant place to live.

Individuals and households can

Take practical steps personally, and by influencing others, to reduce the size of their environmental footprint by:

• reducing, reusing and recycling waste
• reducing energy use, for example by using energy efficient products
• buying renewable energy
• making different travel choices - walking and cycling more, reducing carbon emissions by flying less or using public transport instead of the car

Use their power as consumers, investors and electors to demand more sustainable goods and services

Take part in and support improvements to their local area

Make their voice heard: debating the issues, helping to raise awareness, supporting the demand for change.

Supported in Scotland by:

Investment in the infrastructure that will make these choices easier:

• more recycling facilities
• better public transport
• safe paths to walk and cycle
• more energy efficient buildings and products

Better consumer information

Opportunities to learn how to live more sustainable lives

Focus on action at community level

Opportunities to get involved through a network of partner organisations across Scotland.MAKING THE LINKS:

WHAT BUSINESSES IN SCOTLAND CAN DO

Business has a crucial role in helping Scotland make the successful transition to a low-carbon economy. Considerable reductions in emissions can be achieved through better energy efficiency and increased use of renewable sources of heat and power. In responding to the imperative of climate change many businesses are finding that not only have they reduced their impact on the environment but they have made considerable financial savings into the bargain. For many businesses there are additional gains to be made by responding to market opportunities from changing patterns of demand.

Businesses can:

• improve productivity and competitiveness by using resources more efficiently
• develop a clear environmental policy for the company which is well understood by all employees
• explore market opportunities for new, greener products and technologies
• work to identify and reduce their impact on the external environment and, where appropriate adopt good neighbour agreements with their local communities
• improve access to your premises and reduce the environmental impacts of staff commute to work and business travel by developing and actively promoting a Travel Plan
• routinely monitor resource use and environmental impact, report publicly on them and invite feedback from stakeholders
• consider how they might work more closely with other local businesses to share experience and reduce collective impact
• introduce training programmes to raise awareness and develop skills.

Supported in Scotland by:

• implementation of the green jobs strategy
• improvements to the way in which resource efficiency support is delivered
• the work of organisations such as WRAP, the Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise, SISP and others
• information, guidance and best practice on corporate social responsibility from partner organisations (SCDI, Scottish Business in the Community, the Business Council for Sustainable Development, CBI, FSB and others).