3 December 2008

Footprint celebration at the Scottish Parliament 

Almost a hundred people from across Scotland gathered at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the achievements being made in reducing Scotland’s footprint by government, local authorities, organisations, schools and individuals.

In his keynote speech, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP, recognised the importance of footprinting in delivering progress towards national objectives and commended the Local Footprints Project for its part in helping local authorities and schools.

The reception was hosted by Bruce Crawford MSP, who highlighted the many footprint-reducing initiatives that are active in his own constituency of Stirling as an example of how people across Scotland are working together to reduce our footprint.

Archie Strang, CEO of South Lanarkshire Council, one of the first local authorities that got involved with the Local Footprints Project, talked of the three main ways that his council uses footprint: In its Single Outcome Agreement, in secondary schools and in driving sustainability in deelopment planning. He thanked the Local Footprints Project for its support and emphasised the commitment of the council to long term improvement.

From left to right: Elizabeth Leighton (WWF), Bruce Crawford MSP, John Swinney MSP, George Tarvit (SSN) and Amie Fulton (Local Footprints Project Officer)