Response 206608578

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Defining wellbeing

1. Is a statutory definition of 'wellbeing' required?

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Yes
No
Don't know

2. Do you have any views on how ‘wellbeing’ can be clearly defined in legislation?

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Any definition should align with UK and International definitions in order that measurement of wellbeing is meaningful and comparative

Defining sustainable development

3. Is a statutory definition of ‘sustainable development’ required?

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Yes
No
Don't know

4. Do you agree with our proposal that any definition of sustainable development should be aligned with the common definition: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know

5. Do you have other views on how ‘sustainable development’ can be clearly defined in legislation?

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The UN SDGs are established and globally understood, it's difficult to see what a Scottish statutory definition would add.

6. What future wellbeing issues or challenges do you think legislation could help ensure we address?

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I think the Scottish Government should consider regenerative development rather than sustainable development. A regenerative approach would go beyond sustainability and focus on development that plants the seeds of future abundance. Such an approach would align with the Scottish Government's commitment to regenerative / agroecological farming for land use and with its commitment to Community Wealth Building for community and economic development. We should be aiming for more than sustainable.

Strengthening duties for the National Outcomes and sustainable development

8. How should a legal duty be defined to ensure that public authorities uphold sustainable development and the interests of future generations?

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'actively consider' rather than 'have regard' perhaps? There's a balance to be struck between nudging decisions in the right direction and creating problematic layers of bureaucracy.

Clarifying to whom the duties apply

11. Should any duty apply to the Scottish Government?

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The Scottish Government should absolutely walk the talk

Determining an approach to future generations

17. Should Scotland establish an independent Commissioner for Future Generations?

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Yes
No
Don't know

18. In what ways could an independent Commissioner for Future Generations increase the accountability, scrutiny and support for decision making?

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Only if the role is meaningful and is encouraged to influence the 'big stuff' such as land reform, infrastructure development and housing. A tokenistic approach to a role like this would be counter productive.

19. Are there alternative ways we can increase the accountability, scrutiny and support for decision making?

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Add the word 'nature' into the Commissioner for Future Generations & Nature - because in a climate and resource crisis, the two are inextricably linked

About you

21. Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?

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Individual
Organisation