Embedding sustainable development across Government, after the Secretary of State’s announcement on the future of the Sustainable Development Commission

Further written evidence submitted by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, the Scottish Government

Thank you for your letter of 23 November asking about the UK Government’s announcement that it would cease funding of the Sustainable Development Commission.

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Caroline Spelman and I spoke about her plans to review the future of the SDC as part of a wider meeting on 23 June. She wrote on 14 July to advise of her plans to announce the withdrawal of funding from the SDC and seeking agreement to wind up the organisation.

I replied on 20 July to reserve the Scottish Government’s position on the wind-up proposals, to provide time to consider the options and implications for Scotland.

We would rather that the United Kingdom Government had not decided to withdraw funding given the impact on the viability of the SDC in Scotland. The Scottish Government has now announced that the SDC in Scotland will not continue as a separate entity although we will maintain certain of the activities it currently delivers. The Scottish Government will continue to draw on sustainability advice, scrutiny and challenge from a number of different bodies, as summarised in the Scottish Parliamentary question and answer attached for your records. [1]

I hope this is helpful.

15 December 2010