Progress towards maximising the potential of the environment as a health promoting resource is being made in Scotland through the work of a strategic collaboration which has brought together key players in the health and environment sectors. This note provides a summary of the main work areas, challenges and keys to success of the ‘Green Exercise Partnership’ (GEP).

Established in 2007, the GEP comprises representatives of two key public sector environmental bodies – the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) – and the health improvement board of the National Health Service – NHS Health Scotland. The partnership came together as a result of the growing evidence of public health benefits from engaging with the natural environment, and recognition of the need to improve links between the health and environment sectors to deliver sustainable health outcomes from our natural assets.