Josephine Oboh-Macleod is a former candidate for the Scottish Parliament.
Conservation has always been one of the defining principles of conservatism. The word itself comes from the idea of conserving what we value, whether that is our natural environment, our built heritage, our communities or the institutions we pass on to future generations.
Across Scotland, however, many communities are witnessing a gradual decline in the quality of their local environment. Litter accumulates along roadsides and parks, fly-tipping scars our countryside, potholes damage vehicles and infrastructure, and too many public spaces suffer from neglect. These problems are not simply environmental; they affect public health, economic growth, tourism, civic pride and community wellbeing.
The environment should not be viewed as a left-wing or right-wing issue. It is a shared responsibility. Caring for our surroundings is about stewardship, personal responsibility and leaving our country in a better condition than we inherited it.
That belief lies at the heart of our new Cleaner, Greener Scotland Nature & Communities First Campaign, which officially launches in Glasgow on 22 August 2026.
The campaign brings together people from different backgrounds, communities and organisations who believe practical action can make a real difference. While public policy has an important role to play, lasting change also depends upon individual responsibility, community participation and stronger partnerships between government, business and civil society.
A truly conservative approach recognises that environmental protection should combine sensible regulation with local empowerment. Rather than relying solely on enforcement, we should encourage people to take pride in where they live through education, volunteering and community leadership.
One of the key priorities is environmental education. Respect for nature and public spaces should begin at an early age. Schools, youth organisations, sports clubs and community groups all have an important role in helping young people understand that littering and environmental damage affect everyone. Building a culture of respect is often more effective than punishment alone.
The campaign is therefore placing young people at its centre. Through “Sports Meets Environment” initiative, youth leaders will combine sporting activities with environmental awareness, demonstrating that caring for our communities can be both practical and inspiring. Sport builds teamwork, discipline and pride qualities that naturally extend to protecting the places where we live.
Alongside education, Scotland also needs practical solutions.
Thereby calling for the introduction of a Deposit Return Rewards Scheme using reverse vending machines, drawing on successful models in countries such as Norway and Germany, where return rates regularly exceed 90%. Incentivising recycling reduces litter, increases recycling rates and creates cleaner public spaces while encouraging personal responsibility.
The campaign is also calling for routine preventative road maintenance rather than expensive reactive repairs. Fixing potholes early saves taxpayers money over the long term, protects motorists and cyclists, and improves road safety. Good maintenance is often one of the most cost-effective forms of public investment.
Local authorities also need greater support to maintain public spaces. More public litter bins, cleaner roadsides, dedicated environmental funding and stronger action against fly-tipping would all contribute towards restoring civic pride. Businesses should also play their part through greater corporate responsibility for packaging waste and supporting community clean-up initiatives.
Another often-overlooked issue is the availability of public toilets. Their widespread closure has created challenges for families, older people, disabled people, visitors and those with medical conditions. Access to clean public facilities is a matter of dignity, public health and community wellbeing, and deserves renewed attention.
On 22 August, the “Cleaner, Greener Scotland, Nature First” campaign will launch in Glasgow City Centre with a community litter pick from St Enoch to Sauchiehall Street. Expected to partake are supporters including the internationally recognised JIVE ACES band, legendary African musician John Oboh “Mighty Mouse” Kakofoni Foudation Legacy group, HAPI, The Way to Happiness Foundation, Sciencetology Volunteer Ministers, youth leaders and community volunteers.
This event is themed to be only the beginning. Over the coming months, the campaign will continue engaging with communities, schools, environmental organisations, businesses and policymakers across Scotland. Supporters hope to demonstrate that environmental improvement is most successful when it combines national ambition with local action.
Conservatives have long believed in stewardship: protecting what is valuable, strengthening communities and ensuring future generations inherit something better than we received. Our natural environment is one of Scotland’s greatest assets. Looking after it is not simply an environmental obligation; it is an investment in our economy, our health, our communities and our national pride.
A cleaner Scotland benefits everyone. By combining personal responsibility, community action and practical public policy, we can build a country that is cleaner, greener and better maintained, not only for today, but for generations to come.
Nature First. Communities First.