A new strategy that sets out to ensure Scotland’s nature is “protected and restored” with flourishing biodiversity has been published.
The Environment Strategy for Scotland: vision and outcomes publication sets out a vision for Scotland’s environment and our role in tackling the global crises, and a set of supporting outcomes.
The next step in the strategy process will be to develop pathways for delivering outcomes, ensuring our efforts are focused in the areas that will have greatest impact.
By 2045 the strategy sets out to “transform Scotland” and secure the wellbeing of the environment and biodiversity by restoring nature and ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change.
This will mean Scotland will play a “full role” in tackling the global climate emergency and limiting temperature rise to 1.5C˚.
It will also set out how the country will use and re-uses resource “more wisely, bringing an end to the throwaway culture”.
Scotland’s natural environment is our greatest national asset and it is fundamental to our future, our health, our quality of life and our economy.
It will also promote a sustainable economy that conserves and grows the country’s natural assets.
An independent public body will be established with an aim of ensuring environmental standards are maintained once the UK’s EU exit transition period ends.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland’s natural environment is our greatest national asset and it is fundamental to our future, our health, our quality of life and our economy.
“A healthy and diverse environment is essential to the wellbeing of our economy and people. We are clear that remaining in the EU is the best way to nurture our environment and we profoundly regret that Scotland is being taken out of the EU against our will.
“However, as we move outside the EU frameworks, that have guided our approach for half a century, it is vital that Scotland demonstrates a coherent, integrated approach to the environment that is governed effectively.
“That is why we will embed the EU environmental principles into law so they can continue to guide new policy and legislation in future.
“This strategy will also do more though. It will be a living and evolving approach, able to adapt to new evidence as it emerges and refocus work to take advantage of new opportunities or address new challenges.”
“Clearer picture”
“We have a clearer picture than ever before of the crises our climate and natural world are facing,” said MsCunningham.
“Global assessments have highlighted the scale and urgency of action needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and the loss of the world’s biodiversity.
“I am determined that Scotland will play our part in responding to these crises.
We are clear that remaining in the EU is the best way to nurture our environment and we profoundly regret that Scotland is being taken out of the EU against our will.
“We are clear that remaining in the EU is the best way to nurture our environment and we profoundly regret that Scotland is being taken out of the EU against our will.
“However it is now incumbent on us to take ensure our environment does not suffer from EU exit.
“As this strategy makes clear, we will embed the EU environmental principles in law so that they continue to guide policy and legislation in future to protect the environment.”
