Alongside the needs of today’s consumers, Consumer Focus Scotland has a duty to take account of the needs of consumers in the future. This duty informs our approach to longer term issues of sustainable development – actions which benefit consumers today are not sustainable if they likely to reduce the quality of life, or range of opportunities, for consumers in the future.

Climate Change

We recognise that climate change, in particular, presents a great challenge to policy makers and businesses, and that the way we use energy, goods and services is likely to change in order to meet targets for the reduction of emissions. Our role in this process is to ensure that:

• Whenever changes are proposed, the needs of consumers, and in particular of disadvantaged consumers, are taken into account – a change in the way a service is provided should be an opportunity to improve it.

• There is a balance between actions undertaken by consumers, government and business. Research shows that consumers are much more open to taking action if they can see that others are doing so too.

• Claims about the green credentials of new products or services must be clearly justifiable, so that consumers can make informed choices. Clear product labelling is an essential first step.

Recycling

Consumers consistently identify recycling as the most common action they take to reduce their impact on the environment. It is therefore critical that recycling systems are easy for consumers to use, and, like any other public service, are delivered efficiently and effectively.

In 2008, the Scottish Consumer Council commissioned an initial scoping study on recycling, which was subsequently considered and agreed by the new Consumer Focus Scotland Board.

We will take this work forward, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that the materials collected from consumers in Scotland are consistent across all local authority areas.

Transport

Scotland has particular issues in relation to transport provision. Although car ownership is continuing to rise, there remain some 30% of Scottish households which do not have access to a car. For those without a car, particularly those in rural areas, access to essential goods and services depends on reliable public transport, the more so for people in remote areas for whom ferries and flights provide lifeline services.

Our aim is to ensure that the consumer perspective, particularly for people dependent on public transport services, is consistently represented as transport policy is developed and delivered.