Implementing environmental policy in Scotland: The role of the voluntary sector

Despite the increasing interest in environmental policy and its implementation, little attention has been paid to the role played by the voluntary sector. However, in the UK this sector is actively involved by the Government as an agency of implementation. In this respect, The Scottish Office has established two mechanisms whereby it channels support to a number of voluntary organisations and this article examines the success achieved by these programmes in delivering The Scottish Office's objectives for the voluntary environmental sector. The conclusion is reached that these mechanisms are generally successful, but that there are a number of failures regarding the achievement of the immediate policy objectives. Additionally, while the programmes deliver good work that is in line with the Government's policy objectives, the contribution they make to sustainable development (the primary objective of the strategy laid down in its White Paper, This Common Inheritance) could be improved. They do, however, represent an example of relatively successful policy implementation.