Applying the Unlocking a Better Future framework for a just transition in Scotland

The report applies the 'Unlocking a Better Future' (UBF) framework to identify policy gaps in Scotland, proposing a holistic approach to transition the economy and society. It recommends strengthening human-nature connectedness, expanding nature-based education, exploring the 'Rights of Nature', and reforming national accounting to move beyond GDP. The document also emphasizes the need for a shift from top-down to bottom-up public engagement to ensure a just transition, while proposing specific indicators to track structural transformation.

• Scotland faces significant environmental challenges, including that 11% of species were threatened with extinction as of 2023 and the economy is only 1.3% circular.
• There is a significant gap in policies addressing the intrinsic value of nature; the report recommends conducting a feasibility study for implementing 'Rights of Nature' in Scotland to shift from an instrumental to a care-based relationship with the environment.
• To improve human-nature connectedness, the report suggests establishing national accessibility standards for green and blue spaces, ensuring they are within a 15-minute walk or equivalent from homes, particularly for low-income communities and people with disabilities.
• The report advocates for a shift in economic measurement, recommending that the Scottish Government adopt the Scottish Wellbeing Economy Monitor and other metrics to monitor economic wellbeing instead of relying solely on GDP.
• Current innovation strategies in Scotland are described as opportunistic and bottom-up; the report recommends a mission-driven strategy and a 'sustainability filter' to ensure unsustainable activities do not receive government support.
• The report identifies a need to reform animal welfare policies by redirecting public subsidies toward 'humane, healthy and sustainable alternatives' and implementing animal welfare impact assessments in policy development.
• Academic evidence suggests that top-down public engagement often fails to reach marginalized groups and can be perceived as 'placating public relations'; the report recommends shifting toward collaboration and empowerment through community steering groups and participatory budgeting.
• The report proposes a holistic framework consisting of 14 thematic areas of action, organized around three key shifts: strengthening people's connection with nature, ensuring Scotland thrives within planetary limits, and investing in a better future.
• Tracking transformation is difficult because existing indicators measure isolated trends rather than systemic change; the report suggests using the World Values Survey to track shifts in societal values as a proxy for deep leverage points.

APA

Lambe, F., Weitz, N., Hilgert, A., Kemp-Benedict, E., & Carlsen, H. (2025). Applying the Unlocking a Better Future framework for a just transition in Scotland. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/unlocking-better-future-framework-scotland-sei2025-007.pdf

Chicago

Lambe, Fiona, Nina Weitz, Annika Hilgert, Eric Kemp-Benedict, and Henrik Carlsen. Applying the Unlocking a Better Future framework for a just transition in Scotland. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2025. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/unlocking-better-future-framework-scotland-sei2025-007.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lambe |first1=Fiona |last2=Weitz |first2=Nina |last3=Hilgert |first3=Annika |last4=Kemp-Benedict |first4=Eric |last5=Carlsen |first5=Henrik |title=Applying the Unlocking a Better Future framework for a just transition in Scotland |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=February 2025 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/unlocking-better-future-framework-scotland-sei2025-007.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lambe2025applying, author = {Lambe, Fiona and Weitz, Nina and Hilgert, Annika and Kemp-Benedict, Eric and Carlsen, Henrik}, title = {{Applying the Unlocking a Better Future framework for a just transition in Scotland}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2025}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/unlocking-better-future-framework-scotland-sei2025-007.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }