Future Economy Scotland
@futureeconscot.bsky.social
A non-partisan think tank that aims to create a new economy that is democratic, sustainable and just.
https://www.futureeconomy.scot
https://www.futureeconomy.scot
Here is the report Ariane Burgess MSP references above:
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero - A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
By @hannawheatley.bsky.social & @lmacfarlane.bsky.social
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero - A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
By @hannawheatley.bsky.social & @lmacfarlane.bsky.social
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero
A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
www.futureeconomy.scot
January 8, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Here is the report Ariane Burgess MSP references above:
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero - A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
By @hannawheatley.bsky.social & @lmacfarlane.bsky.social
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero - A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
By @hannawheatley.bsky.social & @lmacfarlane.bsky.social
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
"Rather than thinking how do we bring private finance in? We're thinking how do we fund peatland restoration?"
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gives evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in @scotparl.bsky.social on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Watch 👇
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gives evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in @scotparl.bsky.social on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Watch 👇
January 8, 2026 at 10:18 AM
"Rather than thinking how do we bring private finance in? We're thinking how do we fund peatland restoration?"
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gives evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in @scotparl.bsky.social on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Watch 👇
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gives evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in @scotparl.bsky.social on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Watch 👇
Scotland is "delaying action now for an uncertain solution in the future."
Today, our senior economist
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gave evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Listen to her opening remarks.
Today, our senior economist
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gave evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Listen to her opening remarks.
January 7, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Scotland is "delaying action now for an uncertain solution in the future."
Today, our senior economist
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gave evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Listen to her opening remarks.
Today, our senior economist
@hannawheatley.bsky.social gave evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
🎥 Listen to her opening remarks.
Tomorrow our senior economist @hannawheatley.bsky.social will give evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
📖 Read our latest report on scaling up investment in nature restoration: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
📖 Read our latest report on scaling up investment in nature restoration: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Restoring Nature to Deliver a Just Transition to Net Zero
A holistic agenda for scaling up investment in woodlands and peatlands.
www.futureeconomy.scot
January 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Tomorrow our senior economist @hannawheatley.bsky.social will give evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the Climate Change Plan's proposals on peatland restoration.
📖 Read our latest report on scaling up investment in nature restoration: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
📖 Read our latest report on scaling up investment in nature restoration: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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 & @democracycollab.bsky.social's @neilmcinroy.bsky.social.
📘Download www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
🎥 Watch Neil's summary👇
Our new report asks what it’ll take to turn ambition into action.
By our co-director @miriambrett.bsky.social & @democracycollab.bsky.social's @neilmcinroy.bsky.social.
📘Download www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
🎥 Watch Neil's summary👇
January 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
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 & @democracycollab.bsky.social's @neilmcinroy.bsky.social.
📘Download www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
🎥 Watch Neil's summary👇
Our new report asks what it’ll take to turn ambition into action.
By our co-director @miriambrett.bsky.social & @democracycollab.bsky.social's @neilmcinroy.bsky.social.
📘Download www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
🎥 Watch Neil's summary👇
We’ve spent the past year setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for all of your support along the way!
We've big plans for 2026.
Sign up to stay tuned: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
Thanks for all of your support along the way!
We've big plans for 2026.
Sign up to stay tuned: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
December 31, 2025 at 9:22 AM
We’ve spent the past year setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for all of your support along the way!
We've big plans for 2026.
Sign up to stay tuned: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
Thanks for all of your support along the way!
We've big plans for 2026.
Sign up to stay tuned: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
Have you been enjoying Scotland’s woodlands this winter? 🌲❄️
Restoring nature at scale is essential — but who pays, and how do we make sure it’s fair?
Our latest webinar explores how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
🎥 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Restoring nature at scale is essential — but who pays, and how do we make sure it’s fair?
Our latest webinar explores how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
🎥 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Watch: Can private finance fix the nature crisis?
Watch our latest webinar exploring how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition
www.futureeconomy.scot
December 30, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Have you been enjoying Scotland’s woodlands this winter? 🌲❄️
Restoring nature at scale is essential — but who pays, and how do we make sure it’s fair?
Our latest webinar explores how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
🎥 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Restoring nature at scale is essential — but who pays, and how do we make sure it’s fair?
Our latest webinar explores how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
🎥 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Our 2025 wrapped 🎁
From mapping who profits from ScotWind, to a just transition for workers, restoring nature and a new industrial strategy - we’ve been setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for being part of it.
Join us in 2026!
mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
From mapping who profits from ScotWind, to a just transition for workers, restoring nature and a new industrial strategy - we’ve been setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for being part of it.
Join us in 2026!
mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
December 19, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Our 2025 wrapped 🎁
From mapping who profits from ScotWind, to a just transition for workers, restoring nature and a new industrial strategy - we’ve been setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for being part of it.
Join us in 2026!
mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
From mapping who profits from ScotWind, to a just transition for workers, restoring nature and a new industrial strategy - we’ve been setting out how Scotland can build a fairer economy.
Thanks for being part of it.
Join us in 2026!
mailchi.mp/futureeconom...
Scotland has committed to community wealth building.
But ambition alone won’t deliver change.
Our new report explores what scaling up CWB really requires.
🎥 Watch @neilmcinroy.bsky.social from @democracycollab.bsky.social explain what comes next👇
⬇️ Report: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
But ambition alone won’t deliver change.
Our new report explores what scaling up CWB really requires.
🎥 Watch @neilmcinroy.bsky.social from @democracycollab.bsky.social explain what comes next👇
⬇️ Report: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
December 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Scotland has committed to community wealth building.
But ambition alone won’t deliver change.
Our new report explores what scaling up CWB really requires.
🎥 Watch @neilmcinroy.bsky.social from @democracycollab.bsky.social explain what comes next👇
⬇️ Report: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
But ambition alone won’t deliver change.
Our new report explores what scaling up CWB really requires.
🎥 Watch @neilmcinroy.bsky.social from @democracycollab.bsky.social explain what comes next👇
⬇️ Report: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
In March, The Scottish Government confronted Scotland’s deepest economic failures with the world’s first Community Wealth Building Bill.
But legislation isn't enough.
In our new blog, @miriambrett.bsky.social & @neilmcinroy.bsky.social set out what's needed.
www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/359-wh...
But legislation isn't enough.
In our new blog, @miriambrett.bsky.social & @neilmcinroy.bsky.social set out what's needed.
www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/359-wh...
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM
In March, The Scottish Government confronted Scotland’s deepest economic failures with the world’s first Community Wealth Building Bill.
But legislation isn't enough.
In our new blog, @miriambrett.bsky.social & @neilmcinroy.bsky.social set out what's needed.
www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/359-wh...
But legislation isn't enough.
In our new blog, @miriambrett.bsky.social & @neilmcinroy.bsky.social set out what's needed.
www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/359-wh...
Community Wealth Building succeeds when policy, practice and movements are interlaced - at community, local and national levels.
⬇️ To learn more, download From Ambition to Action: Scaling Up Community Wealth Building in Scotland
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
13/13
⬇️ To learn more, download From Ambition to Action: Scaling Up Community Wealth Building in Scotland
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
13/13
From Ambition to Action: Scaling Up Community Wealth Building in Scotland
An ambitious agenda for embedding community wealth building across Scotland's policy landscape.
www.futureeconomy.scot
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Community Wealth Building succeeds when policy, practice and movements are interlaced - at community, local and national levels.
⬇️ To learn more, download From Ambition to Action: Scaling Up Community Wealth Building in Scotland
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
13/13
⬇️ To learn more, download From Ambition to Action: Scaling Up Community Wealth Building in Scotland
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
13/13
If done well, the Community Wealth Building Bill could mark a decisive shift in Scotland’s economic direction, and set a precedent beyond our borders.
But passing legislation does not ensure delivery of CWB.
It’s the start of a longer journey.
12/13
But passing legislation does not ensure delivery of CWB.
It’s the start of a longer journey.
12/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
If done well, the Community Wealth Building Bill could mark a decisive shift in Scotland’s economic direction, and set a precedent beyond our borders.
But passing legislation does not ensure delivery of CWB.
It’s the start of a longer journey.
12/13
But passing legislation does not ensure delivery of CWB.
It’s the start of a longer journey.
12/13
The report sets out recommendations to go beyond the Bill, including:
📦 Expanding progressive procurement
🔄 Growing plural ownership
🌳 Democratising land ownership
💷 Strengthening community finance
👷 Advancing fair work and just labour markets
11/13
📦 Expanding progressive procurement
🔄 Growing plural ownership
🌳 Democratising land ownership
💷 Strengthening community finance
👷 Advancing fair work and just labour markets
11/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The report sets out recommendations to go beyond the Bill, including:
📦 Expanding progressive procurement
🔄 Growing plural ownership
🌳 Democratising land ownership
💷 Strengthening community finance
👷 Advancing fair work and just labour markets
11/13
📦 Expanding progressive procurement
🔄 Growing plural ownership
🌳 Democratising land ownership
💷 Strengthening community finance
👷 Advancing fair work and just labour markets
11/13
To advance CWB in Scotland, three elements must move together:
➡️ Practice on the ground
➡️ Networks and movement-building
➡️ Policy and legislation
10/13
➡️ Practice on the ground
➡️ Networks and movement-building
➡️ Policy and legislation
10/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
To advance CWB in Scotland, three elements must move together:
➡️ Practice on the ground
➡️ Networks and movement-building
➡️ Policy and legislation
10/13
➡️ Practice on the ground
➡️ Networks and movement-building
➡️ Policy and legislation
10/13
🗝️ CWB is about practice, not just policy.
Legislation should unlock the potential of local strategies to maximise impact. Central government must enable decentralised decision-making.
9/13
Legislation should unlock the potential of local strategies to maximise impact. Central government must enable decentralised decision-making.
9/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
🗝️ CWB is about practice, not just policy.
Legislation should unlock the potential of local strategies to maximise impact. Central government must enable decentralised decision-making.
9/13
Legislation should unlock the potential of local strategies to maximise impact. Central government must enable decentralised decision-making.
9/13
Our report highlights key areas where the CWB Bill falls short:
🟡 Ambiguity over whether CWB is a core economic development duty
🟡 Limited clarity on resourcing, support, and implementation
🟡The risk of centralisation, dilution and contradictory policy signals.
8/13
🟡 Ambiguity over whether CWB is a core economic development duty
🟡 Limited clarity on resourcing, support, and implementation
🟡The risk of centralisation, dilution and contradictory policy signals.
8/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Our report highlights key areas where the CWB Bill falls short:
🟡 Ambiguity over whether CWB is a core economic development duty
🟡 Limited clarity on resourcing, support, and implementation
🟡The risk of centralisation, dilution and contradictory policy signals.
8/13
🟡 Ambiguity over whether CWB is a core economic development duty
🟡 Limited clarity on resourcing, support, and implementation
🟡The risk of centralisation, dilution and contradictory policy signals.
8/13
The new Community Wealth Building Bill takes this further by:
🗓️ Requiring national & local CWB statements & action plans
📔 Embedding CWB in public sector planning
📕 Creating statutory guidance for implementation
A significant step, but incomplete.
7/13
🗓️ Requiring national & local CWB statements & action plans
📔 Embedding CWB in public sector planning
📕 Creating statutory guidance for implementation
A significant step, but incomplete.
7/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The new Community Wealth Building Bill takes this further by:
🗓️ Requiring national & local CWB statements & action plans
📔 Embedding CWB in public sector planning
📕 Creating statutory guidance for implementation
A significant step, but incomplete.
7/13
🗓️ Requiring national & local CWB statements & action plans
📔 Embedding CWB in public sector planning
📕 Creating statutory guidance for implementation
A significant step, but incomplete.
7/13
Scotland’s CWB journey is already underway. Inspired by Cleveland and Preston, @north-ayrshire.bsky.social became Scotland’s first CWB council in 2020.
Since then, councils across the country have embraced a model that shifts wealth, ownership and control of assets into communities.
6/13
Since then, councils across the country have embraced a model that shifts wealth, ownership and control of assets into communities.
6/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Scotland’s CWB journey is already underway. Inspired by Cleveland and Preston, @north-ayrshire.bsky.social became Scotland’s first CWB council in 2020.
Since then, councils across the country have embraced a model that shifts wealth, ownership and control of assets into communities.
6/13
Since then, councils across the country have embraced a model that shifts wealth, ownership and control of assets into communities.
6/13
CWB has been shaped by practice, from @democracycollab.bsky.social to @clesthinkdo.bsky.social & centres on 5 pillars:
🌳 Socially just use of land & property
🔄 Plural ownership
💷 Making financial power work for local places
👷 Fair employment & just labour markets
📦 Progressive procurement
5/13
🌳 Socially just use of land & property
🔄 Plural ownership
💷 Making financial power work for local places
👷 Fair employment & just labour markets
📦 Progressive procurement
5/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
CWB has been shaped by practice, from @democracycollab.bsky.social to @clesthinkdo.bsky.social & centres on 5 pillars:
🌳 Socially just use of land & property
🔄 Plural ownership
💷 Making financial power work for local places
👷 Fair employment & just labour markets
📦 Progressive procurement
5/13
🌳 Socially just use of land & property
🔄 Plural ownership
💷 Making financial power work for local places
👷 Fair employment & just labour markets
📦 Progressive procurement
5/13
But legislation alone won’t deliver the full potential of community wealth building.
To succeed, Scotland’s approach must be rooted in the traditions CWB comes from:
➡️ Economic democracy
➡️ Democratic ownership
➡️ Bold asset-based economic & social movements that build power from the ground up
4/13
To succeed, Scotland’s approach must be rooted in the traditions CWB comes from:
➡️ Economic democracy
➡️ Democratic ownership
➡️ Bold asset-based economic & social movements that build power from the ground up
4/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
But legislation alone won’t deliver the full potential of community wealth building.
To succeed, Scotland’s approach must be rooted in the traditions CWB comes from:
➡️ Economic democracy
➡️ Democratic ownership
➡️ Bold asset-based economic & social movements that build power from the ground up
4/13
To succeed, Scotland’s approach must be rooted in the traditions CWB comes from:
➡️ Economic democracy
➡️ Democratic ownership
➡️ Bold asset-based economic & social movements that build power from the ground up
4/13
If implemented with conviction, the Bill could confront Scotland’s deepest economic failures head-on:
⚖️ Persistent inequality
🚸 Child poverty
💸 An extractive investment model that benefits distant shareholders, not local places
3/13
⚖️ Persistent inequality
🚸 Child poverty
💸 An extractive investment model that benefits distant shareholders, not local places
3/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
If implemented with conviction, the Bill could confront Scotland’s deepest economic failures head-on:
⚖️ Persistent inequality
🚸 Child poverty
💸 An extractive investment model that benefits distant shareholders, not local places
3/13
⚖️ Persistent inequality
🚸 Child poverty
💸 An extractive investment model that benefits distant shareholders, not local places
3/13
In March, the Scottish Government introduced the world’s first Community Wealth Building Bill - an attempt to hardwire this economic model into law.
The first nation to do this, it is an ambitious move, and rightly so.
2/13
The first nation to do this, it is an ambitious move, and rightly so.
2/13
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In March, the Scottish Government introduced the world’s first Community Wealth Building Bill - an attempt to hardwire this economic model into law.
The first nation to do this, it is an ambitious move, and rightly so.
2/13
The first nation to do this, it is an ambitious move, and rightly so.
2/13
📣 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 🧵👇
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 🧵👇
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
📣 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 🧵👇
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 🧵👇
We’re now on Instagram!
We’ll be sharing bite-sized explainers, ideas and tools for building a new economy in Scotland that’s democratic, sustainable, and just.
⚡️Decarbonise
✊Democratise
🌱Decommodify
Follow us 👇
www.instagram.com/futureeconsc...
We’ll be sharing bite-sized explainers, ideas and tools for building a new economy in Scotland that’s democratic, sustainable, and just.
⚡️Decarbonise
✊Democratise
🌱Decommodify
Follow us 👇
www.instagram.com/futureeconsc...
December 13, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We’re now on Instagram!
We’ll be sharing bite-sized explainers, ideas and tools for building a new economy in Scotland that’s democratic, sustainable, and just.
⚡️Decarbonise
✊Democratise
🌱Decommodify
Follow us 👇
www.instagram.com/futureeconsc...
We’ll be sharing bite-sized explainers, ideas and tools for building a new economy in Scotland that’s democratic, sustainable, and just.
⚡️Decarbonise
✊Democratise
🌱Decommodify
Follow us 👇
www.instagram.com/futureeconsc...
ICYMI: @lmacfarlane.bsky.social outlines 3 reasons why market-led solutions won’t save Scotland’s woodlands and peatlands.
Watch full recording to learn about what might:
futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Watch full recording to learn about what might:
futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
December 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
ICYMI: @lmacfarlane.bsky.social outlines 3 reasons why market-led solutions won’t save Scotland’s woodlands and peatlands.
Watch full recording to learn about what might:
futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...
Watch full recording to learn about what might:
futureeconomy.scot/posts/355-wa...