Response 712867258

Back to Response listing

Section 1 - Does a changing context need a changing vision?

Q1. Do you feel this vision still reflects the outcomes we need to achieve?

Please select one item
Yes
No
I don’t know
I do not have enough information

Q2. If not, what key changes would you like to see for a new Land Use vision?

Scotland’s land use strategy is an important mechanism that ensures sustainable use of land and has the potential to bring about transformative change to address the climate and nature crises. As also noted within the consultation document, the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) recognises that Scotland’s land use sector has a greater capacity to remove emissions. The proposed vision, however, does not adequately translate the urgency and scale of action required to address those emergencies. Furthermore, landscape is instrumental in delivering multiple positive outcomes of land use and land management, such as reducing biodiversity loss, mitigating, and adapting to climate change and equity (1). The role of landscape quality and the relationship it has with these positive outcomes should be made more explicit within the vision. The LI recommends the following text for the vision-
“A Scotland where we fully recognise, understand and value the importance of our landscapes and natural resources. Where our plans and actions about land use should restore and maintain nature, deliver multiple economic and societal benefits, and enhance the wellbeing of our nation.”

(1) Scottish Landscape Alliance (2020): Position Statement on Landscape, Land Use and Economy https://scotlandslandscapealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SLA-Landscape-Landuse-and-Economy.pdf

Section 1 - Does a changing context need a changing vision?

Q3. Do you think any of the above objectives need updating? If so, please indicate which you think needs changes. You can tick all that apply.

Please select all that apply
I think they are good as they are, no changes needed
“Land based businesses working with nature to contribute more to Scotland's prosperity” should be changed
“Responsible stewardship of Scotland's natural resources delivering more benefits to Scotland's people” should be changed
“Urban and rural communities better connected to the land, with more people enjoying the land and positively influencing land use” should be changed

Q4. If you consider that one or more objectives need updating, please explain what changes you would like to see in the objective(s). Please make sure you state clearly which objective each suggestion relates to.

Objective 1 should read- Land based businesses working responsibly with nature to contribute to Scotland’s economic prosperity, and environmental wellbeing.

Objective 2 should read- Responsible stewardship of Scotland’s natural resources delivering more benefits to its people and nature.

Objective 3 should read- Urban and rural Redacted text better connected to the land, with more people understanding the importance and the means of improving landscape, and thus positively influencing land use.

Section 3 - Landscape Questions

Q7. Do you think the landscapes are an effective way to communicate Scottish Government policy?

Please select one item
Yes
No
I don't know
I do not have enough information

Q8. Under each landscape we have identified three sub headings: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Communities. Do you feel these capture the crosscutting themes that are important to all of Scotland?

Please select one item
Yes
No
I don't know
I do not have enough information

Q9. Does the content of the Land Use Strategy and the manner in which it has been presented, demonstrate that the Scottish Government is taking steps to help deliver sustainable land use?

Please select one item
Yes
No
I don't know
I do not have enough information
Please enter any comments
The consultation document does not clarify on marginal land, there is an implicit assumption that there are limitations to the uses of such land. Marginal land can provide an opportunity to strengthen ecosystem services and need careful management. Different land categories and recognition of those categories within the strategy are necessary, to ensure appropriate/multiple functions of land can be identified and developed. A green infrastructure approach facilitates the transformation of such land (2).

(2) Drozda and Raszeja (2018): Useful wasteland - the potential of undeveloped land in modification of urban green infrastructure based on the city of Poznań, Miscellanea Geographica | Volume 22: Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2018-0016

About you

What is your name?

Dilraj Sokhi-Watson

Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?

Please select one item
(Required)
Individual
Organisation

What is your organisation?

The Landscape Institute