Shaping and influencing policy: Q2 23/24

Strategic engagement and working collaboratively

We continue to engage collaboratively and strategically with a range of partners across our five refreshed Strategic Objectives. Our new strategy to 2026 sets out how we will inspire environmental action towards our vision of a clean, green and sustainable Scotland.

We’ve seen an increased number of Parliamentary Motions celebrating the work of #TeamKSBScot across our operational remit including Green Flag Awards, the Beautiful Scotland Awards, and LitterLotto.

As work under the Year 1 Action Plan for the new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy progresses, we have been pleased to see a number of working groups established. We were pleased to contribute to the development of SCCS’s Climate Manifesto – a compendium of around 120 climate policy asks from across the coalition.

Developing and engaging with policy

We continue to influence and inspire policy across our key strategic objectives throughout our wide network. This quarter has seen the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill introduced at Scottish Parliament, with the call for views at Stage One opened for submissions.

Ahead of the Human Rights Bill closing in the autumn, we have continued to engage around the topic of the Right to a Healthy Environment attending the ERCS summit on Environmental Rights.

Work also continues on topics such as Packaging EPR, the consultations on a ban wet wipes containing plastic, and the consultation on banning vapes.

Demonstrating expertise and credibility

We have been delighted to be approached by members of the research community to support innovative research bids within areas of key interest to Keep Scotland Beautiful – including coastal community resilience and partnership working within the wider River Forth catchment area.

Internally, we have been working to refresh our commitment to Net Zero by 2030 and were delighted to be reaccredited as ISO14001 compliant. This marks the eighth year in a row that our Environmental Management System meets all the obligations of the international standard.

During Scotland’s Climate Week 2023, we hosted and facilitated a range of events across our charitable remit including two engagements for which we were delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and the Just Transition Màiri McAllan MSP, an inspiring National Conversation session on Climate Action in Sport attending by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd MSP, and the Highland Community Waste Partnership launched a new Conscious Consumption campaign to encourage reducing the amount of packaging used by consumers and business.