We expected more for people and our environment - a statement from our CEO

It has long been acknowledged that public services need reform, ensuring that public investment works as effectively as possible, and we admire and support the ambition set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government on 1 September 2026.    If delivered effectively it could significantly improve outcomes for people, nature and the economy.  

Yet, if we are to build a more resilient Scotland in the years ahead, this reform must not just be about balance sheets or structures, it has to be about providing front line services which provide real action to address behaviours and a focus on prevention – and not just in areas of health, social care and crime.  Reform needs to be based on collaboration and strengthening relationships, trust and real action across public, private and charity sectors. 

That said there has never been a more crucial time for the third sector to step up, build on momentum and play its part to improve Scotland for people and for nature.  As a member of Scottish Environment LINK and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, we see daily the effort, commitment and passion invested by members to drive change.  The time is now for us to collectively embrace the opportunity for change and support those we work with in public bodies, ensuring that we don’t lose the momentum needed to deliver real change on the ground. 

It is very clear too, that as demand on public services and those delivering what many see as public services through the charitable sector, grows, the urgent need for long term investment becomes more apparent.   

Tackling the climate and nature emergencies remain a key theme for Government, which we’re relieved about.  But, while we welcome this, we’re concerned that one of our key political priorities – to provide climate and nature education for all – is no longer referred to in the document, as it was in 2025/2026.   

We know that education settings are crying out for good climate and nature education support, and our Climate Action Schools Programme is growing year on year on the numbers we engage, and the impact we have.  If we are to support all education settings to become sustainable by 2030, this should have been a key focus, and we feel it is a missed opportunity.  The climate and nature emergencies cannot be addressed if children, young people and educators are not given the support they need to ensure skills for the future are learnt.  

And none of our other political priorities – to tackle the litter emergency and deliver clean, green and sustainable community spaces for everyone - are given the prominence either.  It is clear that what matters to communities - good quality local environments and neighbourhoods - need a much higher profile and once again are overlooked in this Programme for Government, despite the recently passed Circular Economy (Scotland) Act and published strategy, and a wealth of data and public opinion calling for more investment and action to clean up our country. 

It’s clear that if we are to deliver on Scotland’s Net Zero ambition, and vision of a litter free country, there is a need for greater investment from both the public and private sector, and we are committed to ensuring this is realised. 

We stand ready to support and collaborate across sectors to ensure outcomes are improved for real people in real communities, particularly as we focus on delivering action set out in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, Marine Litter Strategy and the climate change public engagement strategy.  We look forward to playing our part and will continue to push the importance of good quality environments and climate and nature education with elected members. 

Barry Fisher,  CEO