The law never stands still, and the way it applies to you and your organisation is constantly evolving. Our people are on top of these developments and can keep you up to date with some of the most interesting aspects of these changes. Check out our articles and updates for our perspective on issues that might affect you.
The proper and efficient harnessing of Scotland's natural capital will be absolutely crucial in respect of the Scottish Government's ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. An example of the technology and innovation that will both be created by and drive this transition was in the news this week.
Any steps taken by rural and farming businesses to reduce emissions now will pay dividends in the future and there is an opportunity to get ahead of the curve on diversification and realising new environmentally friendly income streams. Tensions do, however, continue to arise in terms of land use. Here we take a look at some of the big issues.
Glasgow declared a climate emergency in 2019 and the Council's climate emergency working group made over 60 recommendations as to how Glasgow could reduce carbon emissions and realise its ambition of becoming a net zero city by 2030. This article looks at some of the key recommendations, which could see the city - which is due to host COP26 in November 2021 - become an exemplar for carbon neutrality.
Among them Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action & Finance and former Governor of the Bank of England, said: "Ecosystems that have more diverse natural assets are more productive, resilient and adaptable. Just as diversity within a financial portfolio reduces risk and uncertainty, greater biodiversity reduces risks and uncertainty within a portfolio of natural assets. As we awaken to the importance of natural capital, we need to place greater value on sustainability and biodiversity – the precondition to solving the twin crises of biodiversity and climate.”
The UNFCCC's 26th Conference of Parties – COP26 – will take place in Glasgow next November. Delayed by Covid-19, COP26 will proceed in an entirely new political context, and is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and critical meetings in the global effort to limit global warming. Here we look at some of the importance milestones in the build up to the summit: