I’ve launched a new YouTube channel, New World Disorder 🚀 Clip from the first episode, ‘The Tech Time Bomb’ 👇 Full video: youtu.be/v59IonvPUks?...

Looking forward to watching more from New World Disorder in 2026. Economist @lmacfarlane.bsky.social promises an exciting and engaging analysis of the political and economic turmoil reshaping our world. He begins with this whistle stop history of the present ⬇️

📣 What next for community wealth building in Scotland? Our new report asks what it’ll take to turn ambition into action. By our Co-Director @miriambrett.bsky.social, and @neilmcinroy.bsky.social, Global Lead for Community Wealth Building at @democracycollab.bsky.social. 1/13 🧵👇

The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is crucial reading to understand the US’s economic and geopolitical ambitions. Some key takeaways 🧵 www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...

“There’s no economic reason why Scotland shouldn’t have more borrowing powers.” Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke to The National about the Scottish Government’s plan to issue bonds:

“What we’re doing is shifting one source of borrowing to another that is potentially more expensive.” I spoke to The National about the Scottish Government’s plan to issue bonds. TLDR - I’m not convinced 👇

Thanks to Mercedes Villalba MSP for raising our proposals to take public equity stakes in offshore wind in Parliament this week. And to @gillianamartin.bsky.social for agreeing it’s “the right thing to do” — we look forward to seeing more on this 👏

Missed this week’s webinar on ‘Can private finance fix the nature crisis?’ The full recording is now available to watch on our YouTube channel 🎥

The UK budget increased the rate of tax on property income by 2%. As a devolved area, the Scottish Government needs to decide how to respond. Scottish landlords already pay different income tax rates to rUK: most pay more, but some pay less.

After weeks of speculation, Rachel Reeves finally delivered her Budget. But how will it impact Scotland? Highlights in 🧵 Read our full analysis 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/358-ho...

Our new analysis unpacks what the Budget means for Scotland 👇 Alongside big ticket items, there are quite a few smaller fiddly changes…

Can private finance fix the nature crisis? In this clip from yesterday’s webinar, Laurie Macfarlane breaks down the 3 reasons why market-led solutions won’t save Scotland’s woodlands and peatlands. Watch full recording to learn about what might: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...

While the autumn budget contained some welcome measures, it falls short of what the UK and Scotland need. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/221-re...

Our webinar — ‘Can private finance fix the nature crisis?’ — is starting in an hour Still time to register below 👇

Our webinar is TOMORROW & there are only a few tickets remaining! Join our Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social and Senior Economist @hannawheatley.bsky.social for a discussion on whether private finance can fix the nature crisis. 🗓️25 Nov 12:30-1:30pm 👇Book now: www.eventbrite.com/e/can-privat...

It was great to join the Skotia podcast to talk all things ScotWind with Dave Moxham from the STUC. Listen here:

Delighted to get my hands on this new book which features a chapter I co-authored with @mazzucatom.bsky.social on state investment banks. It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.

Can private finance really fix the nature crisis? Come along to our webinar next week to hear more 🗓️ 25 Nov, 12.30-1.30 More info below 👇

And explore our interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social to see who currently owns ScotWind projects – and who stands to benefit 👇

Watch our video on why the people of Scotland need a stake in our energy future 👇 bsky.app/profile/futu...

It’s great to see the NWF, GB Energy and SNIB come together to take ownership stakes in offshore wind This is the kind of joined up, proactive public investment we need much more of 👇

We need the Scottish Government to double the Just Transition Fund - backing re-skilling, Fair Work and real labour planning. Our new report shows how. 📗 Read it here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

Let’s be clear: Scotland is not on track for a just transition. For every 3 oil & gas jobs lost, only 2 green jobs have appeared - People are being left behind. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With proper planning and investment, Scotland could create 40,000 more energy jobs than we’ll lose.

Can private finance fix Scotland's nature crisis?🌿 Join @lmacfarlane.bsky.social and @hannawheatley.bsky.social to discuss their recent report on restoring nature, and whether private finance can really deliver the investment needed. Reserve your free place 👇 www.eventbrite.com/e/can-privat...

This news is devastating. It follows more than 400 jobs lost at Grangemouth refinery earlier this year — yet the UK and Scottish Governments have clearly failed to learn from these mistakes 🧵

Exxon Mobil’s decision to close part of Mossmorran is deeply concerning. Scotland already lost over 400 jobs at Grangemouth this year. This is what happens when we fail to plan for a just transition — leaving decisions in the hands of distant shareholders.

EVENT: Can private finance fix the nature crisis? 🌿 Scotland’s turning to investors to fund peatland & woodland restoration, but can markets really deliver at the speed and scale needed? 🎥 Watch the short video.

I get the politics of issuing Scottish bonds, but not convinced by the economics Issuing ‘kilts’ will not unlock any new funding, but it may well make borrowing more expensive In other words: it could mean less investment, not more 🧵 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561868...

I get the politics of issuing Scottish bonds, but not convinced by the economics Issuing ‘kilts’ will not unlock any new funding, but it may well make borrowing more expensive In other words: it could mean less investment, not more 🧵 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561868...

Shell has exited its ScotWind projects, handing its lease back to Crown Estate Scotland and leaving questions as to what happens next. It's a stark reminder of the risks in relying on distant investors and fossil fuel giants to deliver Scotland’s renewable energy future. www.ft.com/content/b9d0...

Scotland squandered its oil and gas wealth — we can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes with renewables. That’s why we need public ownership stakes in our energy future👇

Scotland squandered its oil and gas wealth — we can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes with renewables. That’s why we need public ownership stakes in our energy future👇

The Scottish Government's new Climate Change Plan is welcome, but must be matched by a laser-like focus on delivery and implementation. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/216-re...

Global emissions soared by 2.3% in 2024. This is more than four times higher than the annual average growth rate in the 2010s. We’re going backwards, not forwards.

Astonishing how many people are shocked by Mamdani’s victory. Talk about what people actually care about. Offer genuine solutions. Make sure the messenger is likeable. It isn’t rocket science. But it’s spectacularly rare these days.

Scotland’s offshore wind should power a fairer future - not just profits for distant shareholders. The wind belongs to all of us. We should all have a stake in our energy future. 🧵

It might sound strange, but if Rachel Reeves raises income tax in the UK Budget, it could mean devastating cuts to Scotland’s devolved budget. Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social explains the risks on BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime 🔊

This week we were proud to speak at Scotland’s inaugural Just Transition Summit. Scotland's oil and gas sector is in long-term decline. Like it or not, Scotland must now prepare for a post-fossil fuel economy. 🧵

“A pure net zero approach could see us undertake decarbonisation while actually exacerbating the inequalities we face today.” It was a pleasure speaking to @vickyallan.bsky.social at The Herald about our new report on Scotland’s offshore wind:

“Who is benefitting? How are rewards shared? Are we tackling inequalities rather than exacerbating them?” Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke to @vickyallan.bsky.social about our recent report on ScotWind for the @heraldscotland.bsky.social:

NEW: Like it or not, North Sea oil and gas is on its way out. But to date, Scotland hasn’t been creating enough green jobs to offset fossil fuel job losses Far bolder action is needed to create jobs + deliver a just transition for workers Our new @futureeconscot.bsky.social report 👇

Some have hailed BrewDog’s sale of the Kinrara estate to a nature investment firm as example of private finance plugging the ‘nature finance gap’ But the reality is rather different Excellent new blog by @hannawheatley.bsky.social 👇

Great to speak at today’s #TaxJusticeScotland conference As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event

Join us at SNP Conference! Funding Scotland’s Future: Where Next for the Public Finances? 🗓️ Sunday 12th October 🕘 9:15-10:15am ☕️ Food & refreshments! With: @shonarobison.bsky.social MSP David Phillips @theifs.bsky.social Sara Cowan @swbg.bsky.social Chair: FES Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social

“Models that rely on commercial finance could increase project costs by up to 48% – potentially rendering them loss-making” Our new report on nature restoration is covered by the @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2550956...

Who Owns ScotWind? Our new interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social reveals who owns Scotland’s offshore wind resources — and who stands to benefit Spoiler alert: it isn’t the people of Scotland 👇

“The trend towards relying on private finance for nature restoration projects risks undermining Scotland’s net zero ambitions, a new report has revealed.” Great write-up of our new nature report in @heraldscotland.bsky.social:

“Thinking that commercial investors are going to fix things is foolhardy. We need fresh thinking.” It was great to speak to @severincarrell.bsky.social about the folly of relying on private finance to fix the nature crisis for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Our new report explores Scotland's attempts to attract private finance to meet net zero targets. We model funding options for peat restoration + find private finance could increase costs for projects by 48%. We propose a public-led alternative + policy changes to address non-financial barriers. 👇

“In a new report, Future Economy Scotland said relying on investors such as banks, pension funds and asset managers was wasteful and counterproductive.” Our report on why private finance won’t fix the nature crisis is covered in @theguardian.com 👇