Start in Scotland
Start – an initiative created by HRH The Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay - was launched in Scotland on Monday 6 September 2010 with events held at St Andrew Square Edinburgh and Central Station Glasgow. Managed by Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) in partnership with Essential Edinburgh the launch of Start in Scotland combined businesses with local community projects to showcase the sustainable initiatives being developed in Scotland and encourage positive behavioural change within everyday life.
Start was officially launched by HRH The Duke of Rothesay on Monday 6 September at Central Station Glasgow and at the Start in St Andrew Square Festival in Edinburgh as part of HRH’s five day Royal national tour. The event was attended by Chief Executives of Start partner organisations including M&S, Virgin Money and Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Business in the Community member companies, together with local community leaders and the Lord Provost for Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Start is the next phase of the sustainability journey that originated with The Prince’s Mayday Network in 2007. The Network was as a result of HRH’s call to business to take action on climate change and is now an established movement of more than 3,000 UK businesses progressing along the low carbon and resource-efficient journey towards a sustainable future.
With behavioral change high on the Scottish political agenda, the launch of Start provided a platform for business leaders to showcase initiatives aimed facilitating positive behaviour change and inform the public of simple positive steps that can be taken to lower their impact on the environment. Business and Public Engagement is also a key focus area for Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group and together Scottish Business in the Community and the Mayday Network are proud to be able to support these objectives by working directly with businesses to influence their employees and supply chain.
The Royal launch of Start on Monday 6 September received wide spread national coverage including BBC, Daybreak, STV, Guardian, Daily Mail, The Metro and The Herald. This included interviews with key figures from Scottish Business in the Community and features on the Start Living Shop. There were additional articles in The Herald and the Edinburgh Evening News on the weekend in the run up to Start in St Andrew Square.
In order to ensure positive behaviour change within the public arena, business, government and public sector must all be engaged in adopting, encouraging and developing sustainable practices. Together with BITC and the Mayday Network, Scottish Business in the Community will continue to support and promote Start through a range of events in collaboration with member organisations and local initiatives. Additionally the Start Living Shop will continue to assist the steps taken by individuals and provide an arena for public and business engagement.
It is imperative that organisations and the public work together to inspire and develop a sustainable Scotland as we lead Europe in the move to a low carbon economy. This ambitious agenda can only be achieved through commitment on every level, including influencing suppliers, customers and supply chain.
While Start is aimed at the public, businesses, with the support of the Prince’s Mayday Network, have a huge role to play in influencing behaviour changes not only in the workplace, but also at home.
While Start is aimed at the public, businesses, with the support of the Prince’s Mayday Network, have a huge role to play in influencing behaviour changes not only in the workplace, but also at home.
Further information on Start, the Mayday Network or Scottish Business in the Community please contact us on (0131) 451 1100
