The Scottish Government is undertaking an important consultation on plans to tackle the nature crisis. In this blog we explain what the consultation is about and how you can respond and raise your voice for nature.
Scotland is globally renowned for its amazing wildlife and landscapes. Nature inspires us, sustains and supports us in a myriad of ways, underpinning our economy, the food we eat, the water we drink and our health and wellbeing. Whilst Scotland’s nature is rightly celebrated, there is far less of it than there once was. Scotland is ranked 212th out of 240 countries and territories on how intact its biodiversity is, demonstrating a significant historical loss in nature. Today, we are still seeing continued declines across important species and habitats.
We need a step change in the scale and pace of nature restoration and recovery across Scotland. It is therefore exciting news that the Scottish Government has launched a consultation on their plans to tackle the nature crisis.
The consultation asks for views on a proposed Biodiversity Framework for Scotland, which will be a set of policies and eventually a new law - a Natural Environment Bill that will set binding targets for nature’s recovery. This is the start of a big moment for nature, and one that over 35 environmental charities – including RSPB Scotland – have been calling for over several years.
The consultation includes a new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 and its first five-year delivery plan; principles for expanding the area of land protected for nature to 30% of Scotland and delivering nature networks across the country; and plans for legally binding targets for nature restoration in Scotland and strengthening National Parks.
Investment in policies and projects to restore and renew nature is urgently needed. It will also give back to people in multiple ways, especially if designed with and for communities by building resilience for the future, creating green jobs and supporting nature to deliver many crucial services.
It is therefore really important that as many people as possible have their say on this important issue. However, we know that the consultation is long and covers a wide range of topics, so we wanted to share some information to help you navigate it.
You can read the main consultation here. The best way to have your say is to respond directly to the consultation. Anyone can do this through the consultation hub, which will guide you through. You don’t have to respond to every question, you can just focus on the sections and questions that interest you the most. We will be sharing further blogs over the coming months to provide more detailed views about some of the proposals. You can also see our guide to responding to the consultation at the bottom of this blog.
Alternatively, as we know not everyone will have the time to do this, you can send a short, written response by email to the Scottish Government’s consultation inbox, at: biodiversityconsultation@gov.scot. Please specify in your email whether or not you are happy for the Scottish Government to publish your response as part of their analysis of the consultation. Even if you do not want your response to be made public, it will be counted towards the consultation.
We really want to encourage you to have your say about what you think are the most important actions for the Scottish Government to take on tackling the nature emergency, so the more personalised the email, the better!
There are five priorities that we think must be delivered by this process.
Creating a new Biodiversity Framework for Scotland is vital for tackling the nature emergency. To achieve its aim of halting and beginning to reverse the loss of nature by 2030 and to restore and renew nature across Scotland by 2045, the Scottish Government must ensure the framework:
Includes a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plan that includes a national programme of ecosystem restoration and species recovery, and clear actions for different sectors and parts of government to take on recovering nature. This is covered by sections one and 2 of the consultation.
Creates a plan for effectively protecting 30% of Scotland’s land for nature by 2030 and delivering nature networks, to ensure that our best places for nature are not just lines on a map but are thriving and healthy and joined up across Scotland. This relates to section three of the consultation
Sets ambitious, legally-binding nature targets in a Natural Environment Bill that will drive cross-sector and cross-government action to tackle the nature crisis, with specific targets for increasing species abundance and distribution, reducing species extinction risk and improving the extent and health of priority habitats and protected nature sites. This is covered by section six of the consultation.
Supports and empowers National Parks to lead action on nature and climate and demonstrate the benefits of this at a local level, by strengthening National Parks legislation. This is covered by section seven of the consultation.
Has a clear focus on delivery and funding. All of the policies in the consultation are welcome, but to deliver the change for nature at the scale and pace needed, then on the ground action must quickly follow.
Thanks for raising your voice for nature. You can sign up to our Campaigns Newsletter for more updates and other ways to get involved.
Header photo: bumblebee on a flower. Photo by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Update - 5 December 2023
We know that responding to consultations can be complex and time consuming, and this one is particularly large! So we have pulled together a guide that we hope you will find useful.