Carnegie UK has welcomed a new proposal to establish a commissioner with a remit over wellbeing and sustainable development in Scotland.
Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack proposes a new Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill which she hopes will address the devastating consequences of short-termism at both local and global scale.
The proposed Bill, currently out for consultation, seeks to place new definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing into legislation and to bring forward the Scottish equivalent to the Welsh Future Generations Commissioner.
Introducing her consultation, Sarah Boyack MSP said: “The climate emergency demonstrates in real terms the consequences of short-termism.
“We are now seeing countries that did nothing to aggravate the unfolding environmental catastrophe, bearing the cost for a damage they didn’t cause.
“Future generations in Scotland and across the world will be faced with the results of the actions we take – or not – right here and now.”
Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: “It is time for Scotland to up the pace on putting wellbeing at the centre of big decisions. That means a new commissioner to look after everyone’s interests now and in the future, backed with statutory powers.
“That means policies and spending-decisions which balance the needs of the economy with other social, environmental, and democratic imperatives. It means longer term thinking, after a decade of crisis management at home and abroad.
“That’s why we’re pleased to see Sarah Boyack’s Members’ Bill and would urge forward-thinking organisations and individuals to get involved in this consultation.”
Learn more about the consultation here.