Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: Like it or not, North Sea oil and gas is on its way out. But to date, Scotland hasn’t been creating enough green jobs to offset fossil fuel job losses

Far bolder action is needed to create jobs + deliver a just transition for workers

Our new @futureeconscot.bsky.social report 👇

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 1d

🚨 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...

3

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 3d

Some have hailed BrewDog’s sale of the Kinrara estate to a nature investment firm as example of private finance plugging the ‘nature finance gap’

But the reality is rather different

Excellent new blog by @hannawheatley.bsky.social 👇

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 3d

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:

Peat, Profit and the Myth of the Nature Finance Fix

BrewDog's sale of the Kinrara estate shows why private finance is unlikely to fix the nature crisis

www.futureeconomy.scot

2

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 4d

Great to speak at today’s #TaxJusticeScotland conference

As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate

Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event

1

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 5d

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

1 6 7

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 9d

“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...

'Relying on private finance may actively deter nature restoration'

The trend towards relying on private finance for nature restoration projects like tree-planting, risks undermining Scotland’s net zero ambition

www.heraldscotland.com

1 2 1

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 8d

Who Owns ScotWind?

Our new interactive map with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social reveals who owns Scotland’s offshore wind resources — and who stands to benefit

Spoiler alert: it isn’t the people of Scotland 👇

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 8d

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 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

1 9 9

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 9d

“The trend towards relying on private finance for nature restoration projects risks undermining Scotland’s net zero ambitions, a new report has revealed.”

Great write-up of our new nature report in @heraldscotland.bsky.social:

'Relying on private finance may actively deter nature restoration'

The trend towards relying on private finance for nature restoration projects like tree-planting, risks undermining Scotland’s net zero ambition

www.heraldscotland.com

4

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 11d

“Thinking that commercial investors are going to fix things is foolhardy. We need fresh thinking.”

It was great to speak to @severincarrell.bsky.social about the folly of relying on private finance to fix the nature crisis for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

NatureScot may raise ‘more than £100m’ in private investment for conservation

Investors in talks about supporting up to 15 government-backed nature restoration projects in Scotland

www.theguardian.com

3 6

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Hanna Wheatley @hannawheatley.bsky.social · 11d

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.
👇

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 11d

🚨 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...

8 7

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 11d

Thanks to @severincarrell.bsky.social for speaking to me and writing a great piece

Read the full report 👇

www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

2

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 11d

“In a new report, Future Economy Scotland said relying on investors such as banks, pension funds and asset managers was wasteful and counterproductive.”

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

NatureScot may raise ‘more than £100m’ in private investment for conservation

Investors in talks about supporting up to 15 government-backed nature restoration projects in Scotland

www.theguardian.com

1 3 6

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 11d

We’ve long been promised that private finance will fix the nature crisis. But our new report shows why the economics don’t stack up — and why we need a public-led alternative instead

More here 👇

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 11d

🚨 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...

7

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 11d

Instead of private finance, we need public investment for public goods – plus action on systemic barriers:

📈 Reducing financial uncertainty for landowners
💷 Tax reform
🌱 Fairer land ownership
🦌 Tackling deer numbers
👷‍♀️ Building skills & housing

www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

5 6

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 11d

Our new report shows that relying on private finance for woodland creation and peatland restoration risks:

⬆️ Driving up costs by up to 48%
💸 Diverting taxpayer money to investor profits
🐌 Slowing Scotland’s path to net zero

1 1 5

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 11d

🚨 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...

1 14 23

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 24d

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...

1 3

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 25d

Last week John Swinney flew to the US to lobby Trump to cut tariffs on whisky

But what impacts are tariffs actually having on Scotland’s economy?

Important analysis by our new economist @jujupepe.bsky.social

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 25d

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 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.

How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy?

Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.

www.futureeconomy.scot

1 1 3

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 25d

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 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.

How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy?

Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.

www.futureeconomy.scot

5 4

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 26d

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...

2 2

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · Sep 12

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...

1 2

Reposted by Laurie Macfarlane

Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · Sep 9

“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

Scotland must match ambitious words with meaningful action to grow economy

Closing the gap between ambition and delivery will require more than a few tweaks to the status quo

www.scotsman.com

1 4

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · Sep 3

With the closure of Grangemouth and Alexander Dennis, and North Sea jobs in decline, there is an urgent need for a more assertive approach to secure a prosperous future

It’s time to match ambitious words with meaningful action, and leave old economic orthodoxies behind.

1 1

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · Sep 3

We set out recommendations for transforming the Scottish Government’s tools, institutions and capabilities around an ambitious mission-oriented approach

From overhauling procurement and subsidies to transforming the SNIB (+ much more). And crucially, rebuilding state capacity

1

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · Sep 3

The GIS focused on five sectoral opportunity areas, but the ambition shouldn't stop there

The aim should be to bolster key sectoral capabilities while also catalysing wider systemic change across the economy. It's not either or, but both

1 1

Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · Sep 3

This requires a state that acts boldly to support domestic industry and create and shape the industries and markets of the future

This in turn requires a whole-of-government approach, and a more joined up approach to policymaking

1