The ripples from the result of the General Election are continuing to be felt, with a raft of bills recently announced in the King’s Speech. Most relate to matters only affecting England, but as we pointed out during the campaign, the actions of the new UK Government can still have a big impact on nature in Scotland.
Two of our key policy asks during the campaign were funding for agriculture, and funding for nature projects such as peatland restoration, both of which are determined by the UK Treasury.
A quick reminder… since leaving the EU, the amount of public funding that goes to the farming industry across the UK, and the proportion going to each UK country, is initially determined by the UK Government, with Scotland receiving around 17%, reflecting historic spending patterns. This needs increased, recognising the huge scale of need but also the huge opportunity that exists, especially in Scotland, to produce food while also renewing nature and reducing climate emissions.
Meanwhile, two thirds of UK peatland is in Scotland, covering about 20% of Scotland’s land area. Healthy peatland soaks up carbon and can help minimise flooding in communities, but most of what we have is damaged. It’s the second biggest source of emissions in Scotland. Current restoration efforts are falling short, and UK funding would be a cost-effective way of helping the UK reach its legally binding climate targets.
Image credit: Norman Russell
We have yet to see movement on these points from the new UK Government, but we will continue to make the case with Scotland’s new MPs and Secretary of State. One in nine species of wildlife in Scotland is at risk of national extinction, and there is a win-win to be had by investing in nature-friendly farming and green jobs.
Of course, as advocates for nature in Scotland, our focus is also on what’s happening at Holyrood.
First Minister John Swinney is drawing up his legislative priorities for the year ahead, and we are hopeful that his Programme for Government due in early September will include a commitment to bring forward a Natural Environment Bill. This will set targets for nature’s recovery, driving action across government and society. It has long been promised, and there’s agreement across the parties that this should be a priority, but time is running out.
As part of the Scotland Loves Nature campaign, we’ve set up an easy action people can take to show Mr Swinney there is significant public support to include the bill in his programme. This action adds to the amazing stories we’ve been sharing from supporters in recent months – people from across Scotland have been explaining why #NatureMatters, and why targets for restoring nature are needed.
When the Bill arrives, we will look at the details and make our views known. Will it commit to protecting more land so we meet our international promises, will it finally deliver on the need to reduce Scotland’s out-of-control deer population, and will it pave the way for measurable, achievable targets to drive the revival of our cherished habitats and species? We will see.
There will also be a UK budget in the autumn followed by a Scottish budget in the winter. It seems unlikely that the new UK Chancellor is about to turn on the spending taps, in turn putting pressure on Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes. Our argument would be that funds for nature must be protected: it underpins everything from jobs and the economy to the pollination of our food crops, the trees that clean our air, and the peatlands that absorb carbon emissions. We also know the connection between access to nature and good mental health.
But now that the SNP are running a minority government at Holyrood, since the collapse of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, who will Mr Swinney and Ms Forbes be able to work with to get the extra votes they need to get the majority in parliament to get their budget through, and will investment in nature feature in any negotiations?
By the time we know that outcome, in the early part of 2025, we’ll only be a year away from the next Holyrood election. The clock will be ticking even louder on the need to fix the nature crisis, and with your help we’ll make it clear to all parties that action is needed. Polling released as part of the Scotland Loves Nature campaign shows 74% of people in Scotland support legal targets for restoring nature.
So, if politicians want to show they are listening, they would do well to heed that finding.
As one of our supporters, Alex from Fife, told us in their #NatureMatters story submission:
“Nature in any form is probably the most immersive experience and feeling of wellbeing that we can experience in our lives. So why should we ignore this powerful gift when there are clearly benefits for everyone to enjoy?”
Header image credit: Shutterstock