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People urged to 'go greener together'
17/01/2012
A new national campaign encouraging everyone across the country to play their part in making Scotland a cleaner, greener place to live has been launched.
Support for Scotland’s green ambitions is rapidly growing and gaining momentum. Research* has shown that 72 per cent of respondents agree greener living was necessary and over half (52 per cent) said they would like to do more to help the environment.
The new Greener Together campaign demonstrates that every greener effort – big or small – does make a difference. By showing we can all contribute, the campaign encourages people to recognise greener living benefits for them, their families and Scotland as a whole. Importantly, it seeks to empower everyone to work together to make a difference and create a greener, cleaner Scotland now and for the future.
Launching the campaign with school pupils from Flora Stevenson Primary School’s Eco Club, 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.
"If everyone in Scotland drove just five miles fewer a week we’d save 190,000 CO2 and use less fuel – saving around a staggering £89 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 annually.
"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 seeks to improve Scotland’s natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it.
The national drive will be supported by TV advertising, social media and digital activity and a one-stop website www.greenerscotland.org, which provides the support and tools required to help people take positive action. 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."
The Scottish Government has committed to ambitious climate change targets of a 42 per cent reduction in CO2 by 2020 and an 80 per cent reduction by 2050.
*Overarching Greener campaign insight gathering, TNS 2011
A variety of organisations are 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
The Overarching Greener campaign will be supported with information roadshows in key cities and towns across the country and on-line resources to help raise awareness and provide the support and guidance to help people create their own Greener Plan.
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