Ministers propose legal targets for nature recovery

Targets for nature recovery could be put into law in line with those for climate change, under a new Scottish Government consultation setting out the key elements of Scotland’s overall Biodiversity Framework.

Published in draft in December 2022, the strategy sets out goals of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and reversing declines by 2045. The consultation contains the first five year delivery plan to implement the strategy, with a set of principles to guide the delivery of key commitments to conserve 30% of land for nature by 2030 and expand “nature networks” across Scotland.

It also sets out proposals for the upcoming Natural Environment Bill, including the introduction of statutory nature recovery targets which will be binding on government in the same way that climate change targets require ministers to work towards meeting net zero targets.

Changes to national parks legislation will strengthen the leadership role of national parks in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises.

Launching the consultation, Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater commented: “We are at a tipping point for nature – it is in decline across the globe with around 1 million species already facing extinction. In Scotland alone, we have seen a 24% decline in abundance of wildlife since 1990; if we don’t take urgent action, nature in Scotland will continue to decline and important species will be lost forever.

“This week we have published our Programme for Government which recognises that the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are global challenges of unprecedented proportions. Restoring nature will reduce carbon emissions, and tackling the climate crisis is essential if we are to prevent extinctions. We must be both net zero and nature positive.”

She added: “We are especially keen to hear the views of the stewards of our land and seas – farmers, gamekeepers and fishers who have the knowledge and skills to drive the transformation that is needed.”

NFU Scotland Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall observed: “Rural Scotland is a working landscape, with food production and economic activity being driven by sustainable land management. For nature to flourish, we need to enable those who manage our land to deliver multiple outcomes. Enhancing our natural environment is clearly in the public interest and will deliver an array of public goods. But that cannot be sustained at private cost. We have the clear opportunity to ensure our agricultural landscapes deliver the right outcomes for food production, climate, biodiversity and rural communities, and a balanced approach to delivering on all four fronts is critical.”

NatureScot chair Colin Galbraith added: “This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in tackling the crisis in our natural world.”

Read the consultation here. The closing date for responses is 14 December 2023.