A coalition of environmental charities has welcomed the publication of Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity that outlines the Scottish government’s action plan to halt and reverse nature loss.
This strategy and accompanying delivery plan, alongside the Natural Environment Bill and legal targets for nature recovery, sets the stage for urgent action to address Scotland’s biodiversity crisis.
Scotland has suffered a high historic level of nature loss and faces even greater threats to the environment today. Urgent, transformative action is needed to restore nature and to ensure Scotland is resilient in the face of climate change.
Key measures included in the plan include a programme of ecosystem restoration, action to protect threatened species, and ambitious deer management measures.
Members of Scottish Environment LINK are committed to supporting the implementation of the strategy, but they stress that success will depend on strong leadership, effective collaboration, clear targets and dedicated funding.
Alistair Whyte, Head of Plantlife Scotland and Convener of LINK’s Wildlife Group, said:
“Scotland has endured significant historic nature loss, and the threats to our environment are greater than ever today. It is vital that we act now to protect and restore our precious natural environment, not only for ourselves but for future generations.
“This framework outlines ambitious steps to restoring nature and, by introducing statutory targets, Scotland will acknowledge that nature restoration is as urgent and vital as other climate action.
“However, reaching these ambitions will require increased investment and clear leadership from right across government, such as through agricultural reform.**
“To succeed, we need a whole-of-society approach. Communities, landowners, businesses, and industries must come together as stewards of our land and seas. By working collectively, we can restore nature and create a greener, fairer, and more prosperous Scotland for everyone.”
ENDS
** This Delivery Plan outlines what Scottish Government will do between now and 2030, but to reach the 2030 milestone, whole society buy in and delivery will be needed. Enabling this to happen will be a litmus test for this strategy.
Image: Sandra Graham