Scotland’s political parties fail to address the environmental issues that matter to our communities

All the Scottish political parties have now released their election manifestos – setting out their priorities for the future for our country,  our people and our planet.

It is no surprise that, once again, we’re pretty disappointed.

We’ve been through them all, comparing them against our key policy priorities published earlier this year and despite wealth and breadth of the data and public polling evidence we gathered and presented, all the party manifestos fall short in addressing what we know people want to see prioritised.

Not a single political party agrees that action to improve local environmental quality, tackle litter and improve communities for people and nature is a priority worth providing detail on.  

We know from our polling that:

77% want funding to support the delivery of the actions laid out in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and Scotland’s Marine Litter Strategy prioritised and invested in;

85% agreed that investment needed to be put into raising awareness of, and reducing, roadside litter via a national campaign;

87% agreed funding should be identified to take a source-to-sea approach to marine litter; and

85% wanted to see community litter training for all.

None of these priorities have been addressed by any Scottish political party.

Barry Fisher, our CEO commented, “The Scottish Parliament Election 2026 presented an exciting opportunity for political parties to show leadership and ambition; commit to working together and develop bold funded environmental policies which connected our diverse society and inspired positive action benefitting our people, nature and the places we love.  But, they haven’t listened. 

“While we welcome the commitment from some political parties to ensure that climate education remains funded in schools, and that net zero targets remain a priority.  And we acknowledge that some are committed to ensuring fair funding for the third sector.  We remain bitterly disappointed that those we support, the thousands who have tirelessly volunteered and participated in litter picks during Spring Clean Scotland 2026 haven’t been heard.  

“We won’t give up though, and as soon as the election is over, we will start engaging again to ensure that what you have told us is important to you, appears on future political agendas.”

With just over two weeks to go until we go to the polls, you still have time to write to your candidates and ask what they plan to do to ensure  good local environmental quality is prioritised.