New targets to enhance nature and protect biodiversity.
Legislative proposals to help restore nature and protect
biodiversity in Scotland have been introduced to Parliament.
The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, which will now be
considered by MSPs, would place a duty on Ministers to set
legally-binding nature restoration targets and will modernise how
national parks and deer are managed.
The legislation is a key part of the Scottish Government's
Strategic Framework for Biodiversity and complements the Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy and related delivery plans.
Experts have warned that a decline in biodiversity will make the
climate crisis worse while a changing climate will increase the
rate of biodiversity loss. The Bill proposes actions to tackle
the twin crises of climate change and nature loss with measures
to protect biodiversity and reduce harmful carbon emissions.
It will build on the high ambitions set out in the Biodiversity
Strategy and Delivery Plan, which includes over 100 actions to
tackle the nature crisis.
If passed by Parliament in due course, the Natural Environment
(Scotland) Bill would:
- place a duty on Scottish Ministers to set legally-binding
targets for nature restoration
- create a power to allow for future amendments to
Environmental Impact Assessment legislation and the 1994 Habitats
Regulations, to ensure that they remain fit for purpose over time
and to flexibly adapt to future requirements, while ensuring that
the legislative frameworks continue to effectively underpin
environmental protection and assessment processes in Scotland.
- modernise the aims of National Parks and powers of National
Park Authorities
- reform the way in which deer are managed through the
implementation of many of the recommendations made by the Deer
Working Group, through repealing the licensing of venison
dealing, and by amending NatureScot's powers of intervention.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs said:
“We all depend on nature – to provide our food, help prevent
flooding, tackle the climate crisis and contribute to our
wellbeing. But right now around 11% of species in Scotland
are under threat and if we do not take urgent action, nature in
Scotland will continue to decline and some important species
might be lost forever.
“Our proposals in this Bill can contribute to the Scottish
Government's priority of tackling the climate emergency. The twin
crises of climate change and nature loss are interdependent and
need to be tackled together.
“Improving our biodiversity is one of the best chances we have to
adapt to climate change and ensure we can continue to enjoy
nature's benefits, on which we all depend. However, government
cannot do this alone – we must work in partnership with, and use
the expertise of, land managers, farmers and crofters.
“We are determined to promote biodiversity, to adapt to climate
change, and to ensure we can continue to enjoy the benefits of
Scotland's wonderful nature – and this Bill will help achieve
that.”
NatureScot Chair Colin Galbraith said:
“We welcome the introduction of the Natural Environment Bill, and
we strongly support the inclusion of statutory targets to protect
and restore Scotland's nature. These are an essential part of
achieving the vision set out in the Scottish Biodiversity
Strategy for the recovery of nature; helping to restore vital
habitats and safeguard threatened species. They will also help us
build resilience against the impacts of climate change while
striving towards becoming a nature-positive and net-zero nation.
“In particular, the proposed changes for deer legislation will
help improve efforts to restore priority areas such as native
woodlands and peatlands by reducing the impacts of deer grazing
and trampling.”
Background
Natural Environment
(Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website
Scottish Biodiversity
Strategy to 2045 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
