Enhancing water and air quality, protecting and restoring
vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems, and establishing a
programme of species recovery are all part of a new plan to make
significant progress in restoring nature by 2045.
A new Biodiversity Delivery Plan for 2024-2030 contains over 100
actions to accelerate the pace and scale of efforts to address
the biodiversity crisis.
It supports the Biodiversity Strategy, which sets out a strategic
vision for a nature positive, net zero future where natural
environment loss is halted and restored. Statutory targets for
nature will be included in a new Natural Environment Bill to be
introduced this Parliamentary year.
Delivery plan actions include:
- substantially reducing deer densities, protecting 30% of land
for nature and developing a nature positive agriculture programme
- investing in nature restoration – through the Nature
Restoration Fund, more than £65 million over this parliament and
investing in woodland creation and peatland restoration
- tackling the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss,
particularly engaging and strengthening the connection between
people and nature
Launching the plan at Bawsinch and Duddingston Reserve, Acting
Climate Minister Dr said:
“The Global Climate Emergency and the Nature Emergency are twin
reinforcing crises: the actions we take to address each are
fundamental to our wellbeing and survival as a species. We need a
partnership approach to delivery – government cannot do it alone.
“This new Biodiversity Delivery Plan sets out clear actions that
government, businesses and individuals can take to protect and
restore our precious natural environment for future generations
to come.
“The whole of society has a role to play but especially the
stewards of our land, rivers, lochs and seas such as farmers,
gamekeepers and fishers who have the knowledge and skills to
drive the transformation that is needed. Biodiversity supports
these essential industries – food production needs pollinators
and healthy soils whilst, fish and fish farming depend on
healthy, thriving seas.”
NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said:
“We all rely on nature for our survival, and it is everyone's
responsibility to care for it. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
is Scotland's response to the nature crisis, and it sets out a
clear and comprehensive plan, supported by a series of actions
that will help restore nature back to a healthy, thriving state.
“To restore nature across Scotland will take a sustained national
effort, but in doing so, we will increase our resilience to
climate change and reaffirm our connection with the natural
world. This will bring many benefits for the people of Scotland,
and we urge everyone to stand up and play their part in creating
a net-zero and nature positive future for all.”
Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said:
“We are pleased to see the launch of the long-awaited and
much-needed Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery
Plans.”
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that a huge effort is
needed across the whole of society if we are to realistically
tackle the climate and nature emergencies. Alongside the
strategy, we welcome the Government's commitment to develop
statutory targets for nature's recovery in the forthcoming
Natural Environment Bill.
“Together, they can help us move closer to realising the
ambitions of the many people who have fed into this strategy.
However, this will require leadership at all levels, increased
resources and a recognition that nature is vital to our economy,
our wellbeing and our future.”
Background
Scottish Biodiversity
Strategy to 2045 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Strategic Biodiversity
Framework Delivery Plan 2024–2030 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Scottish Government Nature
Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot
Biodiversity - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
