RSPB Scotland has hailed today’s launch of a consultation by the Scottish Government as an essential stepping-stone that will lead to policies and eventually a new law that will guide Scotland’s response to the nature crisis for the next two decades.
The Scottish Government is designing a new biodiversity framework made up of a suite of policies and a Natural Environment Bill, expected in 2024, that covers a range of topics relating to the protection and restoration of nature. This includes setting legally-binding nature recovery targets. The conservation charity said that, if delivered effectively, the proposals could signal a step change from just protecting the nature we have left, to promoting the renewal of nature across Scotland.
Scotland is ranked 212th out of 240 countries and territories on how intact its biodiversity is. Whilst this analysis reflects historical losses of nature, Scotland is still seeing declining trends in nature today, with average species abundance having declined by 24% in Scotland since 1994. The loss of biodiversity has implications not only for wildlife itself but for people too. A review into the economics of biodiversity found that our economies, livelihoods and wellbeing all depend on nature, but current estimates suggest we would require 1.6 Earths to maintain the world’s current living standards.
Crested Tit, copyright Glyn Sellors, from the surfbirds galleries
The consultation was launched today and is now open for comment for 14 weeks. RSPB Scotland is urging people to show support for greater action on nature, building on existing support which already shows that this is a priority for the public. Over 11,000 virtual postcards landed in MSP inboxes earlier this year from concerned members of the public calling for stronger action to save Scotland’s iconic wildlife species. MSPs from across the five parties committed to acting on the nature crisis.
Anne McCall, Director, RSPB Scotland said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s ambition to drive forward and scale up action for nature – action which evidence tells us is needed now more than ever. We are at a crossroads, but this consultation gives me hope that we can still choose the right path, as it kickstarts a process that is the biggest opportunity for nature in Scotland that I’ve seen in my 25-years working in conservation.
This is not just a big moment for nature, it’s important for each and every person in Scotland. Nature underpins our health, wellbeing, the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat and much of our economy. It’s also integral to our culture and identity as a nation, and we know that restoring nature will deliver many benefits including supporting a more resilient economy and creating new jobs and opportunities.
RSPB Scotland will be considering the proposals in due course and will no doubt have thoughts and suggestions on the detail. That is why this consultation is so welcome: delivering the change needed for nature and people will require collaborative action across government, NGOs and the private sector and requires a collective discussion to ensure we get the plans right. It will then be all about ensuring that these commitments get delivered successfully.”
