Business

donaldtrumpWe have occasionally been critical of Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire development. But Sustainable Scotland tries to be fair, and not let any dislike of the person prejudice reporting and comment on the development. We may have commented unfavourably on the design of the golf clubhouse that is to be built to complement what Mr Trump claims will be the finest golf course in the world. However this planned building has already won an award from Urban Realm magazine.

vibesFor me Scotland's only credible environmental awards for business are the Vision in Business and the Environment Scotland (VIBES) awards. Why so credible? Extensive judging/assessments, site visits, liaison with regulators and all that. No desk top exercise!. Anyway 2011 has brought a new crop of leading businesses across all sectors where sustainability and the environment are fundamentally important parts of their economic activity.

gasflaring... the Larbert Laundry will Dye for you! The change, from “Suicide”, in the original advertisement is quite appropriate. This article is about international megabusinesses on trial for dyeing a swathe of the Gulf of Mexico with a nasty, smelly, sticky, viscous black substance – crude oil. The crime they are accused of is Ecocide. Are they guilty or not guilty, as pure as the unsullied snow or as impure as its begrimed, slushy aftermath?

maryportasRejoice! Rejoice! Britain’s town centres have been saved from inexorable decline. The tall, striking, feisty, red-haired, athletic, sports-loving, stylishly-dressed dancing queen – Mary, Queen of Scots – has ridden to the rescue and announced that “Bingo is a brilliant way to bring people together for a bit of old-fashioned community fun. Why can’t we encourage more bingo nights on our High Streets”. Thus confirming the old adage – if you want to reverse the rate of increase of town centre vacancy rates, ask a Queen.

highlandcowAs I write this the future of a major sustainable Scottish food producer is under threat. And yet this is a company which produces a healthy foodstuff in Scotland largely for local consumers (thus saving on food miles), the main ingredient being an organic, sustainably-managed product of our hills and glens. It is especially recommended for children and endorsed by the Royal Scottish College of Preventive Dentistry. Even if a last-minute saviour steps in it is a scandal and a stain on Scotland’s sustainability aspirations that this situation should have occurred.