26th January 2007 - William Roe

HIE chairman, William Roe
HIE chairman, William Roe

William Roe chairman, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Sustainable development in the Highlands and Islands – a new enlightenment

In his presentation, William discussed the concept of a new enlightenment for the Highlands and Islands. This reflected the opportunities and challenges in a rural area like the Highlands and Islands. Rather than try and compete against more populated urban areas, an opportunity exists for a different type of thinking. Grasping the concept of sustainability could exploit strengths and create new economic, social and environmental opportunities. 

William then identified two key strands of work that will help this transition towards a sustainable economy. 

  • Scientific advances – involving the ongoing development of a dynamic and diverse renewables sector, the development of UHI and growing the capacity for research and development in the area.
  • Social change – involving more awareness of issues such as local food, sustainable tourism, improving the built environment, rural health and transport.  


In the past, HIE had been seen as a job creation agency. A 21st century HIE is a public agency concerned with sustainable economic and community development. This means we will not support industries and activity that fail to meet sustainability expectations and requirements. To contribute to this new enlightenment HIE will be developing rigorous criteria allowing the organisation to assess future investment proposals on the basis of their contribution to sustainability. In other words not jobs at any price but ones that help create this sustainable economy and society.  

William was asked the following questions following his presentation;

Q. What about issues of waste and water in the Highlands and Islands - particularly human and medical wastes?

Not sure about these issues but will ask other agencies.

 Q. What is the solution for unsustainable buildings?

Illustrate what can be done but accept that the investment needed is huge and a challenge. Social enterprise is a new investment vehicle for community housing development. There will be a series of public awareness campaigns in schools and households on waste and other issues. And there is a lobbying job to be done for improved community housing.

 Q. What are your thoughts on role of sustainable development education in the Highlands and Islands? 

The new Distance Lab project demonstrates distance learning technology. This will aid us to seed sustainable development learning and capture and apply best practice. The application of e-learning technology is key to understanding sustainable development and delivering educational products.

 Q. What are the structural and institutional barriers to sustainable development?

Blockages in the public sector and government structures do not aid the speed of sustainable development. The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network is committed to the cause, there is no other choice and we recognise the need to enable people to get on with the job of implementing a culture of sustainable development

The streaming audio file will allow you to sample key points from William Roe's full presentation. His supporting slide presentation and speech are also available here in Adobe Reader pdf format.