Tackling the Nature Emergency: Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

Feedback updated 12 Nov 2024

We asked

The consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity asked for your views on the final version of the Strategy, the first five year Delivery Plan that accompanies the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy; the policy frameworks for Nature Networks and 30 by 30; and on elements that may be included in a proposed Natural Environment Bill – namely statutory nature restoration targets, and proposals to modernise National Parks legislation.

We also asked for feedback on the impact of our proposed Framework and supportive legislation.

You said

There were over 600 responses from 474 individuals and 180 organisations. An analysis of the views submitted is available on the Scottish Government website.

In summary there was general support for the Biodiversity Framework however you asked for actions in the Delivery Plan to be SMART and for clear delivery leads to be identified; and for more clarity on implementation aspects of our Nature Networks and 30 by 30 policies. You agreed with the proposed approach to placing nature restoration targets on a statutory footing, the criteria for selecting the targets, and the approach to reviewing and reporting on the targets. There was general agreement with the need to review the legal framework for National Parks given their vital role in reducing carbon emissions, building climate resilience and halting biodiversity loss whilst continuing to support local communities and promote public access and enjoyment of these areas. A majority of you agreed with the proposals to modernise the aims and powers of National Parks, however, there were mixed responses relating to proposals to change the governance of National Parks.

We did

We are reviewing the actions set out in the Delivery Plan to ensure that they are SMART and have a clearly identified delivery lead, where possible. The Delivery Plan will be published on the Scottish Government website later in 2024, alongside a finalised version of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

We will also publish final framework documents for Nature Networks and 30 by 30 policy areas on the NatureScot webpages; alongside updated guidance documents and an updated Nature Network toolbox, which local authorities and other delivery partners have been helping to develop.

Our Programme for Government 2024-25 has set out that the Natural Environment Bill will be introduced this parliamentary year, and that the Bill will: put in place a framework for statutory targets for nature restoration; modernise deer management and national parks legislation; and provide powers to allow for future amendments to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation and the 1994 Habitats Regulations to support delivery of our net zero and biodiversity goals. We are carefully considering the consultation responses as the proposals for the Bill are developed.

Not all respondents commented upon the impacts of our Biodiversity Framework, however of those that did, responses are helping to refine our approach to Impact Assessments which will be published on the Scottish Government website later in 2024.

Results updated 12 Nov 2024

Thank you to everybody who submitted views as part of this consultation which was open from 7 September 2023 to 14 December 2023. The results of consultation have been published, along with responses (where permission was given).

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Read the consultation paper

This consultation is seeking views on a range of topics and proposals related to biodiversity and tackling the nature emergency in Scotland.

It covers three parts of the Biodiversity Strategic Framework:

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy which sets out our vision to halt and reverse biodiversity loss;
The first five-year Delivery Plan which contains the actions to deliver the vision; and
The proposed Natural Environment Bill which will provide a framework for establishing statutory nature targets to drive delivery and the transformational change we need.

Biodiversity Strategic Framework Diagram This consultation document is set out in two parts. Part A is consulting on the final draft of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, the first five-year Delivery Plan, and policy frameworks for Nature Networks and protecting at least 30% of our lands and seas by 2030 (30 by 30).

Part B of this consultation seeks your views on proposals related to tackling the nature emergency that will require legislation, specifically statutory targets for nature restoration and changes to National Parks legislation.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

In December 2022, the Scottish Government published its draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. It set out a vision, outcomes and 33 priority actions designed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

These outcomes and actions are framed around high-level objectives to:

Accelerate restoration and regeneration;
Protect nature on land and at sea, across and beyond protected areas
Embed nature positive farming, fishing and forestry
Protect and support the recovery of vulnerable and important species and habitats;
Invest in Nature; and,
Take action on the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss.

The Strategy was published in draft to ensure that the outcomes of COP15 could be incorporated into a final strategy. An updated version is included here for final review.

The Delivery Plan The Delivery Plan

The Strategy will be underpinned by a series of five-year Delivery Plans. The plan is comprehensive and ambitious – it contains over 100 actions which taken together represent a step change which will accelerate the pace and scale of our efforts to address the biodiversity crisis. The delivery plan encompasses actions across different sectors and policy areas on the premise that only by mainstreaming biodiversity in the same way as we do for climate will we be able to drive the step change needed to deliver our vision.

This consultation is seeking your views on the first five-year Delivery Plan.

Nature Networks and 30 x 30 Policy Frameworks Nature Networks and 30 x 30 Policy Frameworks

The Biodiversity Strategy includes a commitment to protecting 30% of land and seas for nature by 2030 and ensuring that every local authority area has a nature network to improve ecological connectivity across Scotland.

Policy frameworks for delivering these commitments have been developed through a co-design process, involving over 100 organisations and individuals representing a diverse range of interests. These frameworks set out a vision and key principles which will guide the further development and delivery of policy.

This consultation is seeking your views on the policy frameworks.

The proposed Natural Environment Bill The proposed Natural Environment Bill

The Bute House Agreement includes a commitment to passing a new Natural Environment Bill in the current parliament. A key element of the Bill will be the introduction of legally binding nature restoration targets (‘The Bute House Agreement’, Shared Policy Programme, “Working Together to Build a Greener, Fairer, Independent Scotland”, August 2021). These targets will drive forward action to tackle the nature emergency and provide a clear accountability framework for ensuring we deliver on the commitments set out in the strategy. Statutory targets will nest within a wider monitoring framework, measuring progress against our domestic and international obligations and commitments, primarily the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

This consultation is seeking your views on the policy framework and the process we have identified for developing statutory targets.

The proposed Natural Environment Bill may also be used as a vehicle for other legislation relating to biodiversity and nature restoration. This may include changes to the legislation governing Scotland’s National Parks. Last year’s public consultation on the future of National Parks in Scotland highlighted the important role of National Parks in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, as well as welcoming visitors and supporting local communities and businesses. The current legislative framework for National Parks is the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 (‘the 2000 Act’) is over twenty years old. In order for existing and new National Parks to respond most effectively to today’s societal challenges, the underpinning legal framework needs to be updated and refreshed.

The consultation is seeking your views on a number of proposals to update National Parks legislation.

Consultations on other policy areas proposed to be included in the Bill will take place later in 2023 and may include proposals for legislation required to deliver our 30 by 30 commitment, and proposals to implement the recommendations of the Deer Working Group.

The Proposals

This consultation paper covers a number of inter-related policy areas and you do not have to answer every question. Efforts have been made to structure the document to make it accessible to the reader, acknowledging that some will have an interest in all the proposals while others will wish to focus on those of greatest interest to them.

The consultation is structured as follows:

Section	Subject
One	Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
Two	Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan
Three	Nature Networks Policy Framework
Four	30 by 30 Policy Framework
Five	Impact Assessments for Part A
Six	Statutory Targets for Nature Restoration
Seven	National Parks
Eight	Impact Assessments for Part B

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Environment and Climate Change
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