1. Introduction
Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland. Established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, we are accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The Act defines consumers as individuals and small businesses.
Our purpose is to improve outcomes for current and future consumers, and our strategic objectives are:
- To enhance understanding and awareness of consumer issues by strengthening the evidence base
- To serve the needs and aspirations of current and future consumers by inspiring and influencing the public, private and third sectors
- To enable the active participation of consumers in a fairer economy by improving access to information and support
Consumer Scotland uses data, research and analysis to inform our work on the key issues facing consumers in Scotland. In conjunction with that evidence base we seek a consumer perspective through the application of the consumer principles of access, choice, safety, information, fairness, representation, redress and sustainability.
We also have a particular focus on three consumer challenges: affordability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and consumers in vulnerable circumstances. Further detail can be found in our Work Programme for the 2025-2026 period.
Relevant Legislation
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a statutory duty on all public bodies in Scotland to further the conservation of biodiversity. Section 1 of the Act states: “It is the duty of every public body and office holder, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as it is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.”
The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced a requirement for all public bodies in Scotland to make a report publicly available on their compliance with the biodiversity duty. Biodiversity duty reports are required every three years.
Alongside protecting biodiversity through managing sites, habitats and species, the biodiversity duty also aims to:
- Increase the level of understanding and connection between people and the living environment;
- Promote consideration of all our impacts on the natural world through our actions and decisions, including through procurement and use of resources; and,
- Encourage staff, partners and customers to engage with, understand and consider biodiversity.
As a non-Ministerial Office, Consumer Scotland has a responsibility to work in a way which contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
Consumer Scotland Context
We do not own land, nor do we have a direct role in the management and use of land or natural resources.
Additionally, we do not carry out any of the functions set out in the Scottish Natural Heritage checklist.
Consumer Scotland are therefore best placed to carry out a smaller, proportionate set of activities for biodiversity and this is where we have focused our efforts. In particular, we encourage sustainable practises for all staff, in all activities, including transport, procurement and waste management.
2. Actions to protect and enhance biodiversity
Our role means that we link to biodiversity in an indirect way, rather than a direct way, through promoting and adopting sustainable practises as an organisation. This section sets out our key successes between 2022 and 2025 in relation to the Biodiversity Duty.
Travel
Consumer Scotland staff are expected to act in compliance with the Scottish Government’s travel and subsistence policy. Consumer Scotland encourage staff, wherever possible, to choose sustainable travel options including walking, cycling and public transport.
We are a member of the Cycle to Work Scheme and our offices have secure bike sheds, showers and changing rooms to encourage staff to commute by active travel where possible. Consumer Scotland offices also have parking for blue-badge holders only and therefore driving to work is generally discouraged.
Consumer Scotland operate a hybrid working policy, therefore work-related travel is significantly reduced with staff being able to work remotely or make use of digital technologies to connect with colleagues, for example video or teleconferencing, where appropriate.
Our Board and Audit and Risk Committee meetings alternate between in-person and online, which helps to reduce our carbon footprint.
Office Accommodation
Consumer Scotland does not own its office spaces; we rent space from other public bodies in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Therefore, we have limited control over changes to the physical building and office environment.
In Edinburgh, we share an office space in Thistle House with Environmental Standards Scotland, under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding. By sharing office space, we have made cost and carbon savings around shared services such as printing, resource sharing and joint procurement contracts.
Supplies
Where possible we choose more sustainable options when purchasing office supplies. For example, we use recycled eco paper when printing is required.
We will continue to maximise sustainable practices in terms of ordering supplies. For example, where possible sourcing from smaller suppliers, as opposed to larger suppliers such as Amazon.
Staff are encouraged to turn off laptops, monitors and any other electrical equipment at the end of each working day.
Procurement
Consumer Scotland has a shared service agreement in place with the Scottish Government Procurement and Property Directorate and adheres to the Public Sector Procurement guidance. This agreement covers compliance with regulations and value-for-money savings.
Scottish Government procurement practices also comply with the sustainable procurement duty, which requires the consideration of environmental wellbeing throughout, from supply to the life-cycle of goods and services procured.
We are committed to buying goods and services in a sustainable manner by:
- using Scottish government procurement frameworks where possible
- considering value for money on a whole life cost basis, where appropriate
- delivering benefits not only for the organisation but for society, the economy, and the environment
Waste Management
Recycling facilities are available in the offices for paper, confidential paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and food waste.
We encourage the use of digital documents where possible. If printing is required, we use eco recycled paper.
We have sets of crockery in both offices to avoid the use of paper plates, disposable cutlery and plastic cups.
3. Areas for development
While we are making changes and encouraging sustainable practises, we are aware that there is room for ongoing development within Consumer Scotland to help tackle climate issues and contribute towards the Scottish
The key areas of focus for development are highlighted below.
Training for staff
Consumer Scotland will invest in training opportunities for staff to develop awareness and understanding of climate related issues.
We are considering Carbon Literacy training, and we aim to gain our Carbon Literate Organisation accreditation by 2028.
Sustainability Champions Group
Consumer Scotland has an internal Sustainability Champions network who meet monthly to discuss organisational climate related objectives, best practises and training opportunities or sustainable related schemes we can adopt.
We also have a Board Champion to ensure that sustainability is considered at strategic level.
Our Sustainability Champions work collaboratively with Environmental Standards Scotland’s Sustainability Champions, meeting regularly to share knowledge, ideas and ensure that both organisations are raising sustainability considerations in day-to-day operations.
Encouraging sustainable behaviours
Consumer Scotland commit to continuing to encourage sustainable practises where possible. For example, providing successful Cycle to Work case studies from colleagues, organising bike doctors to visit our offices and organising a swap shop with other public sector organisations to promote the circular economy.