MORE than 130 campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to back legislation which would put sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of policymaking.
Last month, First Minister John Swinney did not include the proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill in his Programme for Government.
The bill seeks to place duties on public sector bodies to ensure that the decisions they make are environmentally sustainable and will not negatively impact future generations.
While the Scottish Government signed up to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, there are currently no requirements for public institutions to consider the impact their decisions may have on progress towards these goals.
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The draft members’ bill was put forward by Labour MSP Sarah Boyack, who took inspiration from the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act, which places a legal obligation on the government to improve the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of current and future generations.
The act also saw the creation of a Future Generations Commissioner, who seeks to hold the government to account and encourage public bodies to engage in long-term thinking about the consequences of their decisions.
In an open letter to the First Minister led by the Wellbeing Economic Alliance Scotland (WEAll Scotland), campaigners say they were “deeply concerned and disappointed” that the bill was not included in the Programme for Government.
“In a just and compassionate Scotland, everyone should have the opportunity to live a good and dignified life,” the letter states.
“We believe this bill can set out a road map for a future where everyone in Scotland can thrive.”
The letter is signed by a host of organisations such as Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, The Poverty Alliance and One Parent Families Scotland as well as individual academics and economists.
“We know that people are struggling as we face multiple crises for people and planet,” said Aileen McLeod, director of WEAll Scotland.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.
“Right now, the Scottish Government is not utilising the full extent of their devolved powers.
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“The recent Programme for Government was a missed opportunity to deliver lasting change.”
If passed, the legislation would impact nearly all areas of policymaking: from agricultural practices to public transport.
Indeed, David Kelly of the Community Transport Association added that planning decisions with regards to road infrastructure continued to fail future generations.
“Too many of Scotland’s cities, towns and villages have been designed with car dependency built in,” he said.
“Bigger roads, more drive-thrus and new neighbourhoods without buses, cycle lanes or even pavements have only driven up congestion, emissions and ill-health.
“We need a clear and rigorous definition of sustainable development in law to prevent bad planning decisions, build more accessible places and end transport poverty.”
In 2022, then first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s government announced the creation of a Wellbeing Economy Monitor in Scotland.
The monitor seeks to track the country’s progress in moving towards an economic system which prioritises the wellbeing of Scotland’s population rather than purely basing success on GDP.
During Humza Yousaf’s tenure as first minister Neil Gray served as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.
When Gray was made Health Secretary following a reshuffle, Mairi McAllan’s ministerial title changed to Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.
However, following John Swinney’s first reshuffle as First Minister, “wellbeing economy” failed to appear in the title of any ministerial post.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:"
A Private Members Bill cannot be included in the Programme for Government as it is the responsibility of the MSP - in this case Ms Boyack - to take forward, not the Scottish Government.
It would also be impossible to commit to a Bill which has not yet been drafted.
“However, once it has been put forward, it will be given due consideration.”
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