Our report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social warns Scotland’s economy stands at a critical juncture. To close the gap between ambition and delivery, it must move beyond minor tweaks, and embrace an investment-led, mission-oriented industrial strategy. 🧵 Recommendations 👇

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...

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.

📬 Latest newsletter out today! From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨‍🏭 just transition for workers & communities. ✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...

ScotWind could power a fairer future, if the new government gets ownership right. But, as our report shows, too much ownership & profit sit overseas. With the right reforms, offshore wind can create good jobs, public revenue & community benefit in Scotland. www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

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...

Today marks six months until the next Scottish election - six months that will shape Scotland’s economy for generations. Our briefing 'Beyond Business as Usual' sets out a bold agenda for a fairer, greener, more resilient economy. Take a look 📄 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications... Summary👇

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 🔊

As the debate on the Land Reform Bill continues, one thing is clear: in its current form the Bill does not meet the scale of the challenges we face. Here @lmacfarlane.bsky.social gives evidence at the Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee on why it needs significant amendments.

Our Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke at Scotland’s first Just Transition Summit. He joined GB Energy, ScottishNational Investment Bank, Just Transition Commission, Transition Finance Scotland & XLCC to discuss how to mobilise investment to deliver a just energy transition.

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. 🧵

We were delighted to attend @ipprscotland.bsky.social’s 10th anniversary conference yesterday. Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke on a panel discussing Scotland’s net zero challenge. Happy anniversary 🎂

“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:

From the upcoming Holyrood election and Scotland’s industrial strategy, to nature restoration and a just transition for Scotland’s workers and communities... Receive analysis and updates straight to your inbox. ✉️ Sign up to our mailing list: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...

Orkney Council has confirmed all profits from its new wind farm will go into local services - wealth will circulate locally, not flow to distant shareholders. It's a glimpse of what community benefit from renewables can look like. But how typical is this? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Greater community ownership needs to be central to Scotland’s renewable energy resources says @ariane-burgess.bsky.social MSP citing our new report “Rethinking ScotWind”. Read what she has to say: argyllbute24.co.uk/msp-calls-fo...

UK and Scottish governments have pledged £20m to transition North Sea workers into clean energy jobs - a vital step towards a fairer, cleaner economy. But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

🌱 Peat, profit, and the myth of the “nature finance fix” Find out why private finance won’t deliver Scotland’s peatland targets, and what a fairer, faster solution could look like. Read our latest blog by @hannawheatley.bsky.social👇 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/324-pe...

🌿 Scotland’s peatlands pledge is falling short, but there’s a fairer way forward.🧵

Packed house for our event at this year’s SNP conference on funding the future With @shonarobison.bsky.social MSP, David Phillips @theifs.bsky.social, Sara Cowan @swbg.bsky.social and @lmacfarlane.bsky.social Thanks to the speakers and everyone who came along!

“The net zero transition can create more energy jobs than will be lost. But to make that happen, we need far more pro-active policies.” Our new report on transitioning fossil fuel workers on the front page of today’s @scotsman.com Read the story: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 Since the 1960s, the fossil fuel industry has shaped Scotland’s economy and identity. After decades powering growth and jobs, this era is drawing to a close 🧵 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

Join us at SNP Conference this weekend! 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: @lmacfarlane.bsky.social

Last week, BrewDog sold its Kinrara estate to a natural capital investor Some say the deal proves private investors can fund nature restoration. But in reality, it shows why private finance can’t fix the nature crisis New blog by @hannawheatley.bsky.social:

We were delighted to join today’s #TaxJusticeScotland conference Tax reform is central to creating a fairer and greener Scotland. As the election approaches, it’s critical we don’t shy away from bold reforms

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

🚨 NEW REPORT: ‘Rethinking ScotWind’ Scotland has some of the world’s best offshore wind resources. But who really stands to benefit from our offshore boom? Our new report argues that we need a better deal for taxpayers, workers and supply chains.🧵 ⬇️ www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

“The Scottish Government must take public equity stakes in offshore wind to ensure our people share in the benefits of our resources." Read exclusive coverage of our new ‘Who Owns ScotWind?’ data with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social in the Daily Record:

“Absurdly, Ireland’s government owns more Scottish offshore wind than the Scottish Government does.” Our new ‘Who Owns ScotWind?’ data with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social is covered by @dailyrecord.co.uk.web.brid.gy

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Who owns Scotland's offshore wind assets? Our new interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social lets you explore who really owns ScotWind projects – and who stands to benefit Highlights in 🧵 Explore the map 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/scotwind

“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...

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 new report on why private finance won’t fix the nature crisis is covered in @theguardian.com 👇

🚨 NEW: We’ve been told for years that private finance will fix Scotland’s nature crisis. Our new research shows why it won’t – and sets out a bold public-led alternative. Highlights in 🧵 Read full report 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

Yesterday, Rachel Reeves spoke of the choices facing the UK at the next Westminster election. But Scotland’s choices come sooner - with the Holyrood election in May 2026. We've set out 11 priorities for a fairer, more resilient Scotland. Now it’s up to the parties to take note.

ICYMI: Trump’s tariffs put 10%+ duties on most Scottish & UK goods to the US. Yet, in Q2 2025: 📈 Scottish exports grew 7.6% 📉 UK exports fell 12.5% How does this add up? Find out in our blog👇 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/322-ho...

🚨New survey finds oil & gas workers want decisive action from the UK government, Scottish government and industry to support the transition – but they aren’t getting it. Here’s what workers want: 🧵 www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2547...

Last week John Swinney flew to the US to seek lower tariffs on Scotch whisky. But what impacts are Trump's tariffs actually having on Scotland's economy? In our latest blog, @jujupepe.bsky.social unpacks the latest data – with some surprising results:

As fears mount over the impact of Trump's tariffs on Scottish industries, what does the data tell us? While UK exports to the US fell by 13% over the past year, Scottish exports actually grew by 8%. Find out more in our latest blog by @jujupepe.bsky.social www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/322-ho...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 NEW: How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy? In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.

Our new briefing, 'Beyond Business as Usual', sets out 11 bold, practical policy priorities for the 2026 Scottish election. We know what’s possible. Now we need the political will to deliver. 📖 Read here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

One year ago today the Scottish Government published its Green Industrial Strategy. In our new joint report, @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @lmacfarlane.bsky.social argue that it must go further to harness all tools to drive economic transformation. 📖 Read here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

“As other countries use ambitious industrial policies to reshape their economies, Scotland can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.” Read the op-ed by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social and @mazzucatom.bsky.social in The Scotsman on our new report with @iipp-ucl.bsky.social

One year on from Scotland's Industrial Strategy launch, we're hosting a workshop tomorrow with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and the Scottish Government. Building on our new report, we'll discuss how to move from ambitious vision to transformative implementation. www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/pub...

Scotland's economy is at a critical juncture. New report w @lmacfarlane.bsky.social shows how a mission-oriented approach can transform Scotlands chronic low investment into an engine for inclusive growth. Time to move beyond a market-fixing state to proactively shape Scotlands economy 1/2

Delighted to publish the second report in our collaboration with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social The Scottish Government is talking the talk on industrial strategy, but is not yet walking the walk. Our new report suggests a way forward🧵

“If the Scottish government is to close the gap between ambition and delivery, it cannot rely on making minor tweaks to the status quo or simply reheating old orthodoxies.” Our new report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social is covered in today’s @thetimes.com:

📢 NEW: Scotland faces a stark choice: act boldly to shape the economy, or be shaped by global forces. Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

As MSPs return to Holyrood today, here’s a 60-second summary of our election briefing. It outlines 11 practical, cross-party steps for a fairer, greener, more resilient economy. Download full briefing: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...