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Press Release - 24th February 2003
Press Coverage - Sustain Magazine
Press Coverage - New Civil Engineer
Press
Release: 24th
February 2003
'Scotland's
Footprint' - Major study to assess Scotland's sustainability
A major study has been commissioned to
quantify the use of natural resources in Scotland. The study will also
investigate the consumption patterns of Scotland's residents and assess the
ecological sustainability of Scottish lifestyles.
The 'Scotland's Footprint' study, has
been commissioned by Viridis, and is funded by the Scottish Executive and the
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), with a grant from Biffaward, a
multi-million pound environment fund which utilises landfill tax credits donated
by Biffa Waste Services. The
research will collect detailed data on the consumption of energy, materials and
water, waste generated, and the use of transport in the region.
This information will be used to map the flow of resources into, out of
and around Scotland and to calculate the 'ecological footprint' of Scotland's
residents - a baseline measure of the Country's environmental impact.
The study will also develop a range of
sustainability scenarios which will show how the ecological footprint could be
reduced by initiatives such as waste reduction and minimisation, renewable
energy, local food sourcing and the increased use of public transport. The
likely impacts of continuing with existing patterns of consumption will also be
assessed.
Commenting on the project George
Fleming, Chairman of the Institution of Civil Engineers Waste Management Board
said "This study will provide the first complete overview of the impact of
modern lifestyles on the natural resources of Scotland and will be a valuable
tool in the debate on the future direction of Scotland's economic, social and
environmental policies"
The project is also supported by FoE
Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish
Environment Protection Agency, Sustainable Scotland Network, WRAP and WWF
Scotland. Viridis and the
EnviroCentre, who are carrying out the research, are working with a wide range
of national and Scottish based organisations to make the study as complete as
possible. Best Foot Forward, who
are managing the project, will calculate the ecological footprint.
Further
information:
For further information contact Nicola
Jenkin, Best Foot Forward, Tel: 01865
250818 or e-mail: nicola@bestfootforward.com
Project website: www.scotlands-footprint.com
Editors
notes:
1.
Best Foot Forward is a sustainability consultancy specialising in
resource flow analysis and ecological footprinting.
They recently completed a resource flow and ecological footprint analysis
of Greater London www.citylimitslondon.com. For further information on Best Foot Forward, see
www.bestfootforward.com
2.
The project has a web page: www.scotlands-footprint.com
3.
In December 1997 Biffa Waste Services agreed to donate landfill tax
credits to the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC) to administer under
the fund name Biffaward. The fund
is currently worth more than £14 million a year.
The fund, supports many worthwhile environmental projects involving local
communities, biodiversity and research into sustainable waste management.
5.
The Scottish Executive aims to work with Scottish ministers to improve
the well being of Scotland and its people.
It was set up following the opening of the Scottish Parliament in July
1999.
6.
Viridis is a non-profit distributing Company
limited by guarantee, established in 1998 by the Transport Research Foundation (TRF).
It is based in Crowthorne, Berkshire along with its sister Company, TRL Limited.
TRF provides the financial stability and support services necessary for Viridis
to operate at a professional and commercial level.
7.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a UK-based international
organisation with over 75,000 members ranging from professional civil engineers
to students, a fifth of whom live outside the UK in some 140 countries.
It is an educational and qualifying body and has charitable status under
UK law.
8.
EnviroCentre is a Glasgow based
environmental management consultancy, supplying professional environmental
services to commercial, industrial, public and research organisations.
Sustain Magazine, vol. 4. iss. 2, 2003, p.8
Scotland's footprint study
George Fleming, Chairman of the ICE Waste Management Board, said: 'This study will provide the first complete overview of the impact of modern lifestyles on the natural resources of modern lifestyles on the natural resources of Scotland and will be a valualbe tool in the debate on the future direction of Scotland's economic, social and environmental policies.'
