The Scottish Government

Greener Scotland

Sustainable development is integral to the Scottish Government's overall purpose - to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

A Greener Scotland - improving Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it - is one of the five strategic objectives that form part of the Government's National Performance Framework, which sets out high level targets, outcomes and indicators applicable across the public sector in Scotland.

Richard Wakeford, Director General Environment, is responsible for championing and leading work on the Greener strategic objective, supported by three Directors, one for each of the national outcomes most closely associated with the Greener strategic objective:

• We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations (Peter Russell, Director Rural).
• We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production (John Mason, Director Environmental Quality, Climate Change and Water Industry).
• We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need (Mike Foulis, Director Housing and Regeneration).

Progress is reported through Scotland Performs.

The Director General Environment and lead Directors are assisted in their work on the Greener strategic objective and outcomes by the Greener Scotland Board, Greener Scotland Division and a number of partners, including:

• Sustainable Development Commission in Scotland - the Scottish arm of the independent body providing advice to Governments across the UK on sustainable development.
• Greener Scotland Board - bringing together representatives from Government, local authority, business and the voluntary sector to advise on delivery of our Greener objectives.
• Sustainable Scotland Network - a network of sustainable development officers and advocates from Scottish local authorities.
• Scottish Sustainable Development Forum - a network of sustainable development experts and practitioners across Scotland.

What the public sector can do to increase sustainable economic growth: a Greener Public Sector Leaders event held in Edinburgh in May 2008.

The Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) is a planning-led initiative aimed at influencing and shaping future development which should be not only environmentally but also economically and socially sustainable.

Through Smarter Choices Smarter Places the Scottish Government is working to increase active travel and public transport use and tackle transport emissions.

The Scottish Government is communicating the need to reduce environmental impact.

Sustainable development and business, and the VIBES awards scheme: Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland.