Further Information : Environmental Sustainability
The Environmental Sustainability vision for the 2007-2013 Programmes, as set out in the Operational Programme is:
- to ensure that Structural Funds Programmes promote the sustainable use and conservation of Scottish environmental assets by enhancing the role of environmental sustainability in economic and social development policy-making
This will be delivered through two objectives:
- to strengthen the mutual contributions of environmental sustainability and economic and social development in Structural Funds supported activities; and
- to raise awareness of the role of environmental sustainability in project planning and policy development
Environmental sustainability is the component in a sustainable development approach governing how the environmental resources of a region are used, and has several elements that should be addressed:
- Ensuring that economic and social development is fully in line with the conservation of the surrounding environment and its biodiversity
- Making full economic and sustainable use of environmental assets so that conservation and economic development goals reinforce each other rather than work in opposition or require compromise; and
- Raising awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability as a fundamental consideration in project/policy-making more widely.
The UK's shared framework for sustainable development Our Future - different paths sets out a common goal for sustainable development across the UK. Choosing Our Future, Scottish Executive's Sustainable Development strategy shares this goal, and has five principles:
- living within environmental limits;
- ensuring a strong, healthy and just society;
- achieving a sustainable economy;
- promoting good governance; and
- using sound science responsibly
The Scottish Executive set out in their Green Jobs Strategy their aim to 'seize the business opportunities and advantages arising from our belief in, and commitment to, sustainable development', and their vision 'for a vibrant, low-carbon economy with Scotland as a centre for green enterprise'. It outlines how Scotland should seize the enterprise opportunities and advantages arising from sustainable development with a view to creating a vibrant, low-carbon economy with Scotland a centre for green enterprise. This would be achieved through a combination of support for the economic opportunities arising from a commitment to environment sustainability - such as renewables technologies and economic efficiencies arising from waste-recycling - as well as more general information-raising and skills improvements in mainstreaming environmental issues into economic activity.
Scotland's Biodiversity It's in Your Hands was published in 2004. While Structural Funds are limited in their pro-active contributions to direct conservation work, the principles of the strategy underpin the Programme with respect to proofing all funded project activity so that there is a neutral, if not positive impact of Structural Funds support on biodiversity within the region.
Further Information and Advice
The Scottish Energy Efficiency Office, run by the Scottish Executive, can offer information, advice and assistance on energy efficiency and waste minimisation.
Support and advice on waste minimisation is also available from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
The Scottish Institute for Sustainable Technology (SISTech), a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and Heriot-Watt University, aims to 'promote, through education, business development and research and development, the practical delivery of sustainability by business.'
The Business Environmental Partnership, working through Midlothian Enterprise Trust has established expertise in working with SMEs on resource efficiency.
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