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Strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks and an enterprise strategy for Scotland
cross-cutting themes
Sustainable development
The Executive's vision for sustainable development is set out in Meeting the Needs…Priorities, Actions and Targets for Sustainable Development in Scotland, published in 2002. This document makes clear that Scotland's actions must not be to the detriment of the wider, or global, community now or in the future and that resources must be used efficiently and with a view to safeguarding them in the long term.
The objective must be to achieve continuous economic growth for Scotland which is stable and benefits everyone now and in future generations.
Such sustainability is not about restricting economic development or adding extra burdens. Economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive - resource efficiency and waste minimisation increase productivity and can drive economic growth. Sustainability should therefore be at the heart of enterprise and competitiveness. The promotion of innovation and R&D is central to this objective. New ideas can promote greater efficiency, reduce waste and enable businesses to incorporate sustainability into their everyday operations.
Sustainability of consumption is also crucial and while there is more limited scope for economic development agencies to influence the behaviour of consumers, they can encourage businesses to create a competitive edge by ensuring that their customers are able to make informed spending choices that take into account whether goods and services were produced in a sustainable way.
Green Jobs Strategy
The commitment of Scotland, and of other countries, to sustainable development produces opportunities for our businesses and makes demands on our Enterprise Networks. We want to ensure that Scotland can:
- capture a leading global role in the environmental sectors, e.g. renewable energy; waste, recycling and remanufacturing; cleaner technologies, by developing new technologies, products and services and marketing these successfully both at home and abroad
- increase productivity and competitiveness across the economy by supporting businesses in all sectors to improve their use of resources and minimise waste
Our Green Jobs Strategy will set out how we intend to achieve this. It will complement and add to the strategic direction this document gives to the Enterprise Networks. In addition to addressing sector opportunities, the Networks have an important role to play in promoting the adoption of good practice among Scottish businesses in terms of sustainable procurement, production, energy efficiency and waste management. They will raise awareness, pointing companies to more specialist advice.
Closing the opportunity gap
The objective is for a smart, successful Scotland to be achieved while contributing to closing the opportunity gap. While the Enterprise Networks must focus on economic growth, they will do so in a way that supports closing the opportunity gap. Initiatives without a primary economic rationale will be for other partners to lead but the Enterprise Networks may be able to offer views and advice as part of partnership working.
Closing the gap in economic opportunities
The Executive is committed to closing the opportunity gap for the most disadvantaged communities in Scotland. Economic growth and tackling poverty and disadvantage go hand in hand. If worklessness and poverty are not properly tackled, they will act as a brake on economic growth and the potential contribution to the economy of those currently inactive will remain untapped. As Scotland's population declines and ages, it will be increasingly important for all who can to contribute to the nation's economic prosperity. The Enterprise Networks' contribution will be informed by the Executive's closing the opportunity gap objectives and targets and the proposed employability framework.
Equal opportunities
Making Scotland an open, fair, inclusive and diverse society is crucial if the Scottish economy is to realise its full growth potential. With demographic trends giving rise to a declining population, Scotland needs to make the most of its potential workforce, as well as attracting talent from overseas. In Scotland, there is a statutory duty on public bodies to promote race equality and non-statutory obligations to promote equality on other grounds. Proposals for statutory duties on public bodies to promote gender and disability equality are being developed. The Enterprise Networks, working together with equalities bodies, have a particular role to:
- encourage entrepreneurship and business growth among under-represented groups
- raise awareness among businesses of their legal responsibilities and support businesses as employers and traders
- eliminate discrimination wherever it occurs by assisting companies to realise the business benefits of equality and diversity
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