LINK Written Evidence on the draft Climate Change Plan (RPP3)

Summary
LINK Marine Group members welcome the Scottish Government’s progress towards establishing the Climate
Change Plan (RPP3), particularly recognising policies and plans for enhancing forestry and peatland carbon
stores.

We are therefore concerned that the draft plan does not include recognition of habitats that serve as blue
carbon stores.

The Climate Change Plan should therefore:

• Report on progress related to Blue Carbon since the last plan (RPP2) including the National Marine Plan,
  Marine Protected Areas and other relevant measures
• Reflect existing policies in the National Marine Plan and those proposed for Regional Marine Plans
• Develop a mechanism to account for the degree of protection and enhancement of blue carbon habitats
  throughout Scotland’s seas, using all three pillars of the marine nature conservation strategy.