Juanpe Castro

Shell abandons floating North Sea wind farm projects UK energy group to focus on potentially more lucrative activities such as power trading

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...

📬 Latest newsletter out today!

From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨‍🏭 just transition for workers & communities.

✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...

Government aims to create 400,000 jobs through UK national green energy plan Scheme will offer training for plumbers, welders and carpenters as well as promoting trade union recognition

UK and Scottish governments have pledged £20m to transition North Sea workers into clean energy jobs - a vital step towards a fairer, cleaner economy.

But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

🚨 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...

🚨 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...

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...

Trump's just announced 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports - with the exemption rules still unclear.

40% of Scotland's pharma exports go to the US. I explore our trading relationship, and how it might be impacted by tariffs in a new blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social: t.co/YafkA8iiLD

How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy? Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 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.

📢 NEW: Scotland faces a stark choice: act boldly to shape the economy, or be shaped by global forces.

Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

NEW: Green jobs in Scotland increased by 7,500 over the past year, rising to a record high of 33,500

We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵

🏠 Completions under the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme fell by 22% in 2024/25. The number of homes completed was 7,444, a fall of 2,070 compared to the previous financial year, and the lowest level since 2015/16 (exc. the first year of Covid-19) 🧵

NEW: Our analysis of ONS data shows private rents in Scotland have risen 32% since 2020, an average increase of £245/month. This outpaces inflation and previous rent trends. 🧵