As we enter 2026 let’s reflect on what we have in common and channel hope

Our CEO Barry Fisher takes the opportunity to reflect on 2025 and look forward with hope and determination.

With the Scottish Parliament elections in May he highlights the opportunity for us all to make sure our prospective MSPs know about the amazing work taking place in communities to keep Scotland beautiful, and the desperate need for greater investment and prioritisation of the issues that matter to you, our communities, nature and environment.

It’s the end of the year and there is no doubt it has been a really frustrating one for those of us working in the environmental charity sector. In fact, it has been a frustrating year for those of us who care about each other, about nature, and about passing a healthy planet to our children.

There has been a sense of powerlessness felt amongst my friends, family and colleagues. A sadness about global society, and what we are doing to each other, nature and our planet.

But I also recognise a steely determination and sense of hope as I talk with those passionately powering through with positive action despite the global and political context.

Our environment is falling down the list of political priorities, and it is sadly dropping down the list across most polls conducted of people nationally.  Yet we know that across our network those we collaborate with, support, and inspire are doing remarkable things on the ground to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste and restore nature and biodiversity – improving the places they care about at the same time.

It is the time of year to reflect, to say thank you, to celebrate all that has been achieved despite the challenges. It is also the time of year to look forward at the opportunities that lie ahead.

And there are many.

We see the opportunity to transform the quality of local neighbourhoods, strengthen communities and support action to help Scotland meet its climate and nature targets.

We’re confident that our programmes, activities and campaigns deliver strong value for money, and continue to support progress against multiple policy areas, from education and skills to environmental sustainability to sustainable public services and spaces that are good for our health and wellbeing and our economy.

And, yes, there are plenty of challenges, not least the polarisation of opinions shaping the world.

I don’t think that we all have to agree on everything. It is important that we have our own views, what is important is that we listen and hear what others have to say.

If we take litter as a starting point, because we are known to many for the work we do to spearhead national efforts to tackle litter in communities across Scotland, our recent polling[1] has shown once again that almost nine in ten people believe litter is a problem nationally. A whopping 67% agree litter makes them feel embarrassed about their own neighbourhoods.  No matter what political persuasion people are, no matter what their views on the ‘green agenda’ are – we know that people have a united opinion on litter.

We know that addressing litter through prevention, behaviour and system change and enforcement must rise up the political priority list to match what the people of Scotland want to see – a cleaner country.

If we listen to communities and local councillors, we hear time and time again that litter is a problem, and not just an annoying, aesthetic issue. It is costing councils £millions to clean up, volunteers are spending hours litter picking, it is impacting tourism, businesses and our own health and wellbeing.

When it comes to litter – we share more common ground than we think. If politicians, policy makers, and businesses tap into that – if they could make environmental action about working together to create something that we all want to see, I believe we can succeed. Because who doesn’t want to see a beautiful Scotland?

Alongside a much-needed strategic focus, it has never been more important to show people the role they can play, tell their stories and show others how tackling litter can benefit them.

Our annual mass litter picking event, the biggest in Scotland, is Spring Clean.  Taking place from 13 March to 24 April 2026 it provides people with the opportunity to take practical action, to collectively make a difference, and to build momentum to drive policy change.

Behind the scenes Keep Scotland Beautiful will continue to do the vital but slightly boring stuff: the strategic thinking, the focused data collection and reporting, the recording of impact. 

We’ll keep working with the government and local authorities to make Scotland the best version of itself. We’ll work together to deliver proven, value for money, effective environmental activity at a more ambitious pace, on a national scale and for a sustained period of time. We’ll use our voice to push forward the changes we know will make a positive difference.

In 2026 we will also focus on showing people that there is an easy way to do the right thing and that positive environmental action makes life better for everyone.  

By everybody working together, across all sectors, to create a clean environment, we can build stronger, healthier communities and make a positive difference to our country and planet.

[1] Scottish Litter Survey 2025