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5. HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - SECURING A HEALTHIER FUTURE
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
Scotland is committed to building a sustainable future. Individuals, businesses, local authorities and communities are taking action to change the way we use resources, plan and develop services, and seize the economic opportunities that sustainable development presents. Policies and programmes are in place to drive change in key areas: transforming the way we deal with our waste, capitalising on Scotland's sources of renewable energy and taking action on climate change.
We have to build fast on that progress and momentum if Scotland is to make the radical changes that are now urgently required.
This is a priority that is shared across the UK and the international community. Scotland signed up to a new UK-shared framework for sustainable development, One future - different paths 12 in March 2005. The framework sets out a common goal for sustainable development across the UK:
'to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations'.
and a powerful new set of principles that will help us to achieve it and which underpins the approach that we are adopting in Scotland.
Our Sustainable Development Strategy sets out the actions we will take to secure the kind of Scotland we want to be in the future, a Scotland where:
- People enjoy higher levels of wellbeing, through:
- increased economic opportunities for all
- an environment that provides the conditions for health and wellbeing
- a focus on the promotion of good mental health and wellbeing
- Communities are thriving, with:
- well connected places
- the regeneration of local environments
- people at the heart of change
- We are making an equitable global contribution, and:
- have reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- are reducing our ecological impact
- are contributing to the Millennium Development Goals
- Our natural heritage and resources are protected for the long term, and:
- biodiversity loss has been halted
- natural resources are managed sustainably
- the environment is protected effectively, on the basis of evidence and using the best available science
WHAT WE ARE DOING
There are many ways in which sustainable development supports health improvement, and in which health improvement supports sustainable development:
- Attractive accessible green spaces within and near to towns and cities help encourage physical recreation and walking and cycling in preference to car-driving;
- We are promoting cycling and walking as sustainable forms of transport, especially for short journeys, through funding to local authorities for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets;
- We are funding School Travel Co-ordinator posts in local authorities to promote active travel options for school children and increase the proportion of non-car based travel associated with schools;
- We are funding Travel Plan Officers for the seven Regional Transport Partnerships to ensure that future transport strategies are consistent with sustainable development policy;
- The NHS is a major procurer of goods and services and manages a large estate, with potential for good environmental housekeeping - and the NHS is using its role as a major employer to help disadvantaged groups into the labour market and to promote healthier and/or greener lifestyles of its own staff; and
- The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing works to promote positive mental health and supports a range of work that helps to make a difference to people's mental health and well-being. This includes work in arts and culture, in communities and in and making use of the natural physical environment for better mental health.
CASE STUDIES
DELIVERING A HEALTHIER SCOTLAND
Woods In and Around Towns: Forestry Commission Scotland
There is a growing awareness that woods in highly populated areas provide much more than just recreation opportunities. They contribute to people's wellbeing, stimulate new economic activity and investment and benefit the environment. Forestry Commission Scotland's Woods In and Around Towns initiative - www.forestry.gov.uk - aims to increase the contribution of woodland to the quality of life in Scotland's urban and post-industrial areas.
The Forestry Commission Scotland works closely with the Central Scotland Forest Trust to deliver the benefits of woodlands to areas in the central belt and provide a special Locational Premium for woodland creation in the central Scotland forest area. Stewardship grants for developing community involvement and woodland recreation are also available.
A £190k partnership project with Glasgow City Council to manage 100 hectares of urban woodland for the 40,000 people on the Bishops and Easterhouse estates in East Glasgow provides a good example.
The Easterhouse partnership project will involve:
- recruitment of a full-time community ranger to involve local people in managing and using the woods;
- provision of training for long-term unemployed;
- constructing 2200 metres of new footpaths;
- upgrading 1500 metres of existing paths;
- removing 100 tons of fly-tipped rubbish and litter; and
- thinning 14 hectares of woodland to let in more light and create space.
BTCV Green Gym
The BTCV (previously British Trust of Conservation Volunteers) Green Gym ® www.btcv.org.uk/display/greengym is a scheme that inspires people to improve their health and the environment at the same time. It offers them the opportunity to volunteer to 'work out' in the open air through local, practical environmental or gardening work.
Bill became involved in his local Green Gym:
"I was a primary school teacher for 10 years before stress at work caused depression, which eventually led to my resignation. My recovery was slow, and I felt tired all the time. I'd put on weight and was quite unfit, so when my wife told me about an advert she'd seen for the Green Gym I thought I might give it a go. I've always liked gardening and practical things, and would rather do that than go jogging or to a gym. It was a real effort to go along for the first time. My illness makes me worry about going to new places and meeting new people, so even getting to the first session was quite a challenge. However, once I'd got over that hurdle it all became much easier. Jo, the leader, has been great, making us all feel welcome and wanted. It's increased my confidence, as I've proved to myself that I can do things, and I'm also much fitter and have lost weight. We always have a lot of fun, whatever the weather. It's therapeutic being close to nature, and I enjoy the friendship as well as the practical work."
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