A statement by NatureScot on the recently published draft Biodiversity strategy:
In light of mounting evidence that Scotland continues to experience dramatic declines in biodiversity, the Scottish Government has set out an ambitious new strategy to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and reverse it with large-scale restoration by 2045.
The new strategy, published as a draft last month, aims to deliver the transformational changes needed to protect and restore terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity in Scotland.
Over summer 2022 a preliminary three month consultation invited views on the new strategy – including its long-term ambition and vision of what our natural environment needs to look like in 2045. The many responses from organisations and individuals have informed the strategy published in draft during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CoP15).
Please take the opportunity to read the draft strategy and respond to the consultation on its delivery plan, due in spring 2023.
Priority actions will focus on accelerating nature restoration, expanding and improving protected areas, supporting nature-friendly farming, fishing and forestry, recovering vulnerable species, and is based on the principle of tackling the nature and climate emergencies together.
Speaking at the UN global biodiversity summit, COP15, in Montreal, Canada, Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater said:
“The strategy sets out a nature positive vision for Scotland – one where biodiversity is regenerating and underpinning a healthy and thriving economy and society. A new investment plan, coupled with ambitious statutory targets, will be crucial to achieving that vision.
“I am hopeful that COP15 will be a pivotal moment in the global fightback against extinction and environmental degradation. Scotland is pushing for an ambitious outcome – the Scottish Government has led a process on behalf of the United Nations, securing the support from over 300 sub-national governments of countries, regions and cities around the world for the Edinburgh Declaration.”
Infographic description
The ‘Proposed vision’ infographic shows a timeline from 1970 to 2045 depicting biodiversity (examples of flora and fauna) declining and then regenerating by 2045. Its starts with images of how land and sea was used in the 1970s, such as farming, a factory and a fishing trawler. As the timeline progresses its shows a decline in biodiversity and then portrays the decline ending by around 2030. From 2030 to 2045, the image shows how land and sea might be used as biodiversity is substantially restored.
Featured image shows Blue Tit, accessed at nature.scot