Going Greener Together

A national campaign encouraging everyone to play their part in making Scotland a cleaner, greener place has been launched by the Scottish Government.

Greener Together demonstrates that every environmental effort – big or small – does make a difference. It encourages people to recognise greener living benefits them, their families and Scotland as a whole – and urges them to work together to make a difference.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Every journey starts with a single step and Scotland will truly go Greener Together when we realise the individual actions we take can collectively have a massive impact.

“There are many ways to go greener, which bring big benefits if we all get involved. Turning our thermostats down by just one degree, for example, not only saves money but also reduces the amount of energy we use as a country. By taking this green action, we could save up to £60 per year as well as reducing Scotland’s carbon emissions from housing by ten per cent.”

The campaign is designed to engage all of Scotland in a collective effort to meet climate change targets of a 42 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group put a strong emphasis on collaboration and engagement in its ‘12 for 2012’ priorities, announced on 12 January 2012.

Mr Lochhead, who launched the Greener Together campaign with Flora Stevenson Primary School’s Eco Club, added: “If everyone in Scotland drove just five miles fewer a week we’d save 190,000 tonnes of CO₂ and use less fuel – saving around £90 million. Huge savings can also be made by cutting down food waste – in Scotland alone, the average family households throws out £430 of perfectly edible food every year.

“These are the considerations we need to make collectively and, more importantly, start acting on. We all do green things every day, sometimes without realising, But, if we all do more, we all benefit and ultimately make Scotland a greener, cleaner place to live.”

The Greener Together campaign is being delivered in partnership with a range of public, private and voluntary organisations. It will be supported by TV advertising, social media and digital activity and website www.greenerscotland.org. The site provides the support and tools required to help people take positive action and create their own Greener Plan. It will also take to the streets with a seven-week national information roadshow that will visit towns and cities across Scotland.

WWF Scotland’s Head of Policy, Dr Dan Barlow said: “The launch of this new strategic campaign approach to help deliver a greener Scotland is welcome. Securing a future for our planet requires many of us to change the way we live and the Government has a key role in supporting and enabling all of us to reduce our environmental impact. WWF Scotland look forward to seeing this campaign rolled out and developed further as an important part of delivering a low carbon, zero waste future for Scotland.”

Some of the organisations supporting the campaign including WWF Scotland, Energy Saving Trust, Zero Waste Scotland, COSLA, Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre, Consumer Focus Scotland, Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Retail Consortium and Citizens Advice Direct.