Speak up for Nature
The Scottish Government’s consultation on Biodiversity, which was launched in September and reported in the Voice for Arran in October, is coming to a close next month. If you haven’t already taken part, there is still time to add your voice. The following is an article by Bruce Wilson, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Scottish Wildlife Trust 20th November 2023.
Featured image shows a close up of a mossy branch. Coed Crafnant. Credit: Ben Porter.
Globally, there is consensus that nature is in crisis. The Scottish Government and its agencies have publicly highlighted this crisis in Scotland in a range of recent policy documents and statements. The scale of the nature crisis can cause people to feel powerless, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust is regularly asked, “what can I do to help?”. Well, with the Scottish Government’s recently released “mega consultation” on nature, there are two very impactful actions you can take for Scotland’s wildlife and habitats right now. Respond to this hugely important call for views and tell your local MSP that you care using our handy steps below.
What is the Scottish Government asking?
The Scottish Government launched the consultation with the full name Tackling the nature emergency – Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity on 7 September and they want to hear your views by 14 December. This important and wide-ranging consultation covers:
- The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and its five-year delivery plans
- Provisions under the Natural Environment Bill for legally binding nature targets (like the ones we have for net-zero on climate change)
- Delivery Plans for “30 by 30” and Nature Networks
- Amendments to the aims, purpose, powers and functions of National Parks
The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that all of the measures under consultation, if supported by a suitable enabling framework, could help to tackle our dual nature and climate crises – something that the evidence shows us we have thus far failed to do.
If there is one thing that’s most important to know, what is it?
We think that putting action for nature on the same legal footing as action on climate is a vital step if we want action from business and government to protect and restore nature.
The recently published State of Nature Scotland report, led by the RSPB with support from environmental charities across Scotland and endorsed by the Scottish Government, shows us some distressing trends and facts/figures:
- 1 in 9 species is threatened with national extinction.
- There has been a 15% decline in average species abundance across closely monitored wildlife since 1994. In the last decade alone, 43% (172) of the species have declined strongly.
- Lichens, bryophytes and flowering plants have suffered massive declines in distribution since 1970.
- Scotland’s globally important seabirds are among the biggest concern – declining by nearly half between 1986 and 2019 – before the more recent devastating impacts of Avian Flu.
- Now is the time for strong leadership from our political representatives
The overall targets set out in the Natural Environment Bill and Biodiversity Strategy are to reverse the decline in nature by 2030 and restore it by 2045. We welcome these targets but want to make it clear that to meet these there needs to be a real change of gear. That’s why we’re calling for strong leadership from our political representatives.
We want to highlight to the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties that investing in nature offers huge opportunities, and that strong, legally binding nature targets will encourage private sector investment in more environmentally friendly practices. Green jobs will be created in a huge range of fields from finance to engineering and from agriculture to education. They will also ensure a healthy, vibrant and habitable Scotland where people want to live, work and play.
You can help make your voice heard for nature today
To read more about the consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity, see the link here
And respond to this consultation using the Scottish Government’s consultation hub, Citizen Space.
If you are unable to respond using our consultation hub, please send your response along with a completed Respondent Information Form, which can found at the end of this document, to:
By email: biodiversityconsultation@gov.scot
Or by post:
Nature Division
Directorate for Environment and Forestry
Scottish Government
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
