Every community should be able to access nature
The Scottish Greens have today announced plans to ensuring that every community has access to nature.
Under Green plans, developers would be required to incorporate tree planting and accessible green areas into new developments, helping to tackle inequality in access to nature and improve health and wellbeing across the country.
The policy announcement comes as evidence shows that 80% of Scotland live in towns and cities, yet many urban communities lack sufficient tree cover. It also shows that hundreds of neighbourhoods have less than just 10% tree cover, and only a small proportion of people have enough access to trees close to home.
The Woodland Trust’s research also shows that Scotland’s ‘tree equity’ is deeply unequal with the wealthiest neighbourhoods having almost double the tree cover than the most deprived neighbourhoods.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said:
“Scotland might not always have the best weather, but when the sun is shining and we get long days throughout spring and summer, we have some of the best outdoors in the world to enjoy.
“Yet too many people in Scotland are living without access to the most basic green spaces - whether that’s trees on their street or a nearby park. We don’t think that’s right.
“The Scottish Greens have always been clear that tackling the climate crisis must go hand in hand with improving people’s everyday lives.
"We know that spending time around parks, trees and green spaces can transform people’s physical and mental health, reduce stress and improve quality of life. But right now, access is deeply unequal and too often it is working-class communities that are unfairly left behind.
“Access to nature should never be considered as a luxury only a few can enjoy, when it should be something that every community can rely on and use. The Greens believe that no matter where you live or how much you earn, our natural surroundings are something we all share, and something we should all have access to.
“If we are serious about improving public health, tackling the climate crisis and building better places to live, then this is a simple, practical step that we cannot afford to ignore.
“Tree planting and greenspaces would be a requirement because every new development should promote greener, healthier communities, not take more from them than they give back.
“To make sure Scotland’s nature is something everyone can enjoy, regardless of income or location, vote Scottish Greens on 7th May.”
