Scottish Biodiversity Strategy: Our response and what it means for nature

A pivotal moment for nature in Scotland 

Today is a big moment for nature in Scotland.  

A new action plan has been released to address the breakdown of biodiversity, the tangled tapestry of life which we simply cannot live without.   

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, released by the Scottish Government today, could be a big step forward and a lifeline for our struggling wildlife. Here’s all you need to know.  

What is the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy? 

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is an important document which outlines how the Scottish Government plans to tackle the nature emergency and deliver on its global promises to protect nature.  

A Delivery Plan 2024-2030 was also released today. It is the first in a series of plans which highlight the priority actions needed to deliver on the strategy.  

To achieve Scotland’s target of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and put us on a course to restore nature by 2045, the Scottish Government has laid out more than 100 actions.  

Why is it so important? 

Despite appearances, Scotland’s nature is struggling. One in nine species here are at risk of national extinction.  

Scotland is also – alarmingly – one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking in the bottom 25% of nations for biodiversity intactness.  

The need for action couldn’t be greater.  

What are the strategy’s strengths? 

Our team at RSPB Scotland has scrutinized the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plan for 2024-2030.  

On the whole, we believe there are many positive aspects to highlight, which include:  

• The ambition to halt biodiversity loss by 2030, protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, and restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045. These ambitions match the urgency of the situation and need for action 

• Potentially game-changing actions, including reducing deer numbers to allow ecosystems to flourish, and restoring seabird islands invaded by predators like rats 

• Linking to statutory nature recovery targets, due to be introduced in the Natural Environment Bill  

• Identifying the species and ecosystems most in need of action by revising the Scottish Biodiversity List 

• Strengthening the role of National Parks to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises 

 What are its shortcomings?    

While there is much to praise here, there are also some shortfalls in the biodiversity strategy and its delivery plan. They include:  

• The ambition to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 is not sufficiently reflected by urgent actions that will deliver real added value.  2030 is barely five years away, necessitating immediate new and additional actions to halt and reverse nature loss 

• The strategy and plan are often too vague. For example, “ecosystem health” takes a central role, but it is poorly defined as a concept 

• There is no clear plan of where specific actions need to happen  

• Too much focus is given to actions already happening or committed to 

• A lack of additional actions and funding to support nature friendly agriculture and forestry - critical areas for nature 

• There are no actions listed which are not government-led. Environmental organisations like the RSPB have a huge part to play in delivering biodiversity projects. They should be included.   

• Funding for actions remains unclear  

What’s next for nature?  

So, where do we go from here? Here’s what RSPB Scotland will be calling for in the weeks ahead.  

The Scottish Budget is just around the corner, due to be published on the 4th December, and we won’t stop repeating our clarion call for more investment in nature. You can sign the petition by our friends at Scottish Environment LINK if you agree.  

We’re hoping the New Year brings a Natural Environment Bill with strong statutory targets for nature’s recovery. This is essential to drive action to restore nature across Scotland.  

The Scottish Government also needs to: 

• Immediately commission NatureScot to develop a revised Biodiversity List of species and ecosystems prioritised for urgent action 

• Develop a clear area plan of local and regional priorities to restore nature across Scotland  

• Produce an effective and ambitious Biodiversity Investment Plan to make sure goals to restore the environment are properly funded  

Let’s hope today is a positive step towards a future where nature is not only protected but able to thrive.  

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Main image: Atlantic puffin on Lunga, Scotland by Ben Andrew