Laurie Macfarlane
@lmacfarlane.bsky.social
Co-director @FutureEconScot.bsky.social Fellow UCL IIPP and the Democracy Collaborative. Co-author ‘Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing’
Our webinar — ‘Can private finance fix the nature crisis?’ — is starting in an hour
Still time to register below 👇
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...
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...
Can private finance fix the nature crisis?
Join Future Economy Scotland for a webinar exploring how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
www.eventbrite.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Our webinar — ‘Can private finance fix the nature crisis?’ — is starting in an hour
Still time to register below 👇
Still time to register below 👇
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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...
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...
Can private finance fix the nature crisis?
Join Future Economy Scotland for a webinar exploring how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
www.eventbrite.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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...
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:
Listen here:
Is Scotland squandering its offshore potential?
Almost four years on from the ScotWind leasing round, Dave Moxham (STUC) and Laurie Macfarlane (Future Economy Scotland) offer their perspectives.
Listen to the latest episode of Nest of Fearties now: buff.ly/4bAhXVT
Almost four years on from the ScotWind leasing round, Dave Moxham (STUC) and Laurie Macfarlane (Future Economy Scotland) offer their perspectives.
Listen to the latest episode of Nest of Fearties now: buff.ly/4bAhXVT
November 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It was great to join the Skotia podcast to talk all things ScotWind with Dave Moxham from the STUC.
Listen here:
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.
It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
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.
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 👇
🗓️ 25 Nov, 12.30-1.30
More info below 👇
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...
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...
Can private finance fix the nature crisis?
Join Future Economy Scotland for a webinar exploring how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
www.eventbrite.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 AM
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 👇
🗓️ 25 Nov, 12.30-1.30
More info below 👇
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
And explore our interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social to see who currently owns ScotWind projects – and who stands to benefit 👇
🏴 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
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
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
And explore our interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social to see who currently owns ScotWind projects – and who stands to benefit 👇
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
Watch our video on why the people of Scotland need a stake in our energy future 👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
bsky.app/profile/futu...
Our recent report, Rethinking ScotWind, warned that when control over vital clean energy rests with global corporations and asset managers, Scotland risks losing out on the long-term economic benefits of renewables - from public revenue to jobs.
🎥 Watch our video summary.
🎥 Watch our video summary.
November 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Watch our video on why the people of Scotland need a stake in our energy future 👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
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 👇
This is the kind of joined up, proactive public investment we need much more of 👇
We welcome the decision to take public equity stakes in the Pentland offshore wind farm.
Public ownership can help deliver better outcomes for:
✊ Workers
💷The taxpayer
🏭 Supply chains
Public ownership can help deliver better outcomes for:
✊ Workers
💷The taxpayer
🏭 Supply chains
UK and Scottish Governments announce major investment in offshore wind farm
National Wealth Fund, Great British Energy and the Scottish National Investment Bank will each put up to £50m towards th...
www.holyrood.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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 👇
This is the kind of joined up, proactive public investment we need much more of 👇
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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...
Our new report shows how.
📗 Read it here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Delivering a Just Transition for Scotland’s Fossil Fuel Workers
A plan for proactively transitioning the labour market for life beyond fossil fuels.
www.futureeconomy.scot
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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...
Our new report shows how.
📗 Read it here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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.
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.
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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...
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...
Can private finance fix the nature crisis?
Join Future Economy Scotland for a webinar exploring how to scale up nature restoration in line with a just transition.
www.eventbrite.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
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...
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 to close part of plant at Mossmorran - BBC News
Hundreds of staff have been told their jobs are at risk with the Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran due to close in February.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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 🧵
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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.
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.
Exxon Mobil to close part of plant at Mossmorran
Hundreds of staff have been told their jobs are at risk with the Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran due to close in February.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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.
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.
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
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.
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...
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...
Scotland ‘on track’ to issue first bonds in 2026-27, says Swinney
The Scottish Government is “on track” to issue its first ever bonds next financial year, with John Swinney saying the move will fund “key…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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...
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...
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...
Scotland ‘on track’ to issue first bonds in 2026-27, says Swinney
The Scottish Government is “on track” to issue its first ever bonds next financial year, with John Swinney saying the move will fund “key…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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...
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...
Shell abandons floating North Sea wind farm projects
UK energy group to focus on potentially more lucrative activities such as power trading
www.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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...
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👇
That’s why we need public ownership stakes in our energy future👇
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. 🧵
The wind belongs to all of us. We should all have a stake in our energy future. 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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👇
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👇
That’s why we need public ownership stakes in our energy future👇
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. 🧵
The wind belongs to all of us. We should all have a stake in our energy future. 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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👇
That’s why we need public ownership stakes in our energy future👇
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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...
Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/216-re...
November 6, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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...
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.
We’re going backwards, not forwards.
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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.
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.
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.
November 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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. 🧵
The wind belongs to all of us. We should all have a stake in our energy future. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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. 🧵
The wind belongs to all of us. We should all have a stake in our energy future. 🧵
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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 🔊
Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social explains the risks on BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime 🔊
November 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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 🔊
Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social explains the risks on BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime 🔊
Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane
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. 🧵
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. 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 9:52 AM
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. 🧵
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. 🧵