As an accredited Green Tourism business, we appreciate the importance of taking action to tackle climate change and raise awareness for more sustainable practices. Fortunately for us, we are also surrounded by Scottish sustainability influencers doing just that.
We love seeing influencers from Scotland use their platforms to promote sustainability, spreading the all-important eco message far and wide, and inspiring their followers to follow their lead!
Here are our top ten Scottish eco-friendly influencers and journalists we recommend following today.
Tabitha Jayne
Tabitha scooped the Scottish Women’s Sustainability Award in 2023 for her work creating a better world for people, planet and the economy.
Tabitha is a globally recognised professional coach and entrepreneur who, through the community interest company Earthself, helps sustainable businesses optimise their impact and trains coaches through the NatureProcess Coach Training programme. She has published an article presenting her MSc dissertation research on Earth Connection in the Journal of Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology.
Tabitha, along with a number of other entrepreneurs who had formed the Scottish Net Zero Community in January 2021, were concerned about the lack of SME voice during COP26. Together, they developed and delivered a two-week hybrid conference for SMEs in support of COP26. This catalysed an SME Net Zero Accelerator programme which is helping over 100 SMEs nationally!
Jen Brownlie
Edinburgh-based blogger Jen Brownlie is a lifestyle photographer and sustainability influencer who promotes environmentally friendly outfits and home décor.
Jen loves green DIY projects incorporating recycled items, as well as promoting fashion brands that only use responsibly sourced materials. She inspires us with her slow-living tips and tricks, which we can all imitate and bring into our own lives.
Jen is a firm believer that choosing to live a more natural, simple, and sustainable lifestyle shouldn’t involve sacrificing the things you love – instead, it’s about making small changes that fit your lifestyle and being aware of your impact on other people and the planet.
Mikaela Loach
Edinburgh-based climate justice activist Mikeala Loach is the best-selling author of It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World, podcaster, writer and former medical student of the University of Edinburgh.
In 2020 she was named on BBC Women’s House Power List and uses her Instagram platform of over 200,000 followers to work towards making the climate movement more inclusive, focusing on the intersections of the climate crisis with human rights issues such as white supremacy and maltreatment of migrants.
Alongside Josephine Becker, Mikaela is the co-producer, writer, and presenter of the YIKES podcast, which explores climate change, human rights, and social justice.
In 2021, she was one of three claimants on the “Paid To Pollute” case who took the UK government to court over the huge public payments they give to fossil fuel companies every year.
Jo Becker
Activist and researcher Jo Becker is dedicated to climate justice, feminism, and degrowth. She holds a Masters degree in Sustainability and Behaviour Change with a focus on societal transformation and a PhD on anti-capitalist social movements
When not in movement spaces, Josephine expands on these topics on her Instagram and on the YIKES podcast with co-host Mikaela Loach. The Yikes Podcast was in the top 5% of most-shared podcasts globally in 2023 and recent Pods can be found here:
Laura Young
Laura Young, aka ‘Less Waste Laura’, is a multi-award-winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer based in Glasgow.
Since 2018, Laura has been on a journey to make her personal lifestyle more sustainable by reducing her plastic use and carbon footprint, and advocating for a whole lifestyle response to the injustices we see every day.
She was awarded the overall Scottish Influencer of the Year for 2024 for advocating for climate and environmental justice online, particularly focussing on the campaign work around banning disposable vapes in the UK!
Laura was also recognised in Saltire 40 Under 40 – Applied Sciences 2023. The awards celebrate people across creative industries in the categories of Literature and Publishing, Applied Sciences, Languages, Performing and Visual Arts.
From fashion and food to travelling and homeware, Laura seeks out more ethical and sustainable practices for individuals and businesses alike.
She uses her Masters degree in Environmental Protection and Management to help share the importance of reducing plastic consumption and continues to work with individuals, businesses, charities and government organisations to keep the pressure on seeking environmental justice.
Wendy Graham, Moral Fibres
Award-winning West Lothian-based blog Moral Fibres was founded by environmental writer Wendy, a woman on a mission to prove that sustainable living is ‘hip, not hippie’.
Wendy has 17 years of experience in the sustainability sector – from working at national and government levels on sustainable transport policies, right through to guiding local communities on climate change education programmes.
If you’re interested in getting simple, no-nonsense tips on how to make your life greener, Moral Fibres is the place to go – with tons of practical advice for fledgling eco-warriors and sustainable converts alike!
You can also check out her book on natural cleaning, called Fresh Clean Home.
- Ilona Amos, The Scotsman
Ilona is a prolific Scottish environment correspondent, writing for a wide range of outlets such as The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday.
She writes on all manner of topics relating to sustainability, from the plight of rare species to the ongoing fight against the outpouring of plastic into the oceans. Ilona knows the sustainability scene in Scotland inside and out, so look for her name if you want reliable eco-focussed news.
Jennifer Tempany, Powering Futures
Powering Futures co-founder Jennifer Tempany plays a crucial role in driving the organisation’s mission to create sustainable energy solutions. With a background in energy policy and a commitment to innovative practices, she has been instrumental in advancing projects that aim to provide clean and reliable energy for communities.
Her expertise and leadership in the field contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
Freddie Ingleby
Freddie leads Caledonian Climate, a Scottish consultancy devoted to peatland conservation. Freddie works with businesses and landholders to create enduring, mutually beneficial partnerships that tackle the climate and nature crisis. His work emphasises local Nature-Based Solutions, verified by the Peatland Code, to support companies in reaching their net-zero goals and rejuvenating Scotland’s peatlands.
Caledonian Climate provides comprehensive services for peatland restoration, from project design to ongoing monitoring, ensuring long-term protection and sustainability. Freddie’s dedication to rural communities and ecosystems makes him a leading figure in Scotland’s environmental scene.
Katie Gallogly-Swan
Katie Gallogly-Swan is an activist, academic, and advocate with a keen interest in global social movements and women’s rights.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to various notable organisations, including Common Weal, ERS Scotland, Govanhill Baths, and Harvard University.
Currently, Katie serves as the Just Transition Commissioner and focuses on climate and development policy at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Her work continues to impact global policies and movements, championing social justice and sustainable development.
Here at Represent, our passion for sustainability means we not only adopt sustainable approaches within the office (find out how you can make your office greener), but we are also firm believers that marketers are in a powerful position to influence environmental change at scale, harnessing brand power.
At Represent we have a wealth of knowledge about sustainability and its associated industries – get in touch so we can learn about your challenges and then develop some amazing solutions.