Our natural environment really matters. When nature is healthy, people are healthier and happier too. We depend on nature for everything from clean air and water to recreation, and access to nature can support our wellbeing and mental health.
Our environment supports our economy – industries like fishing, farming, and tourism all depend on nature. Scenery and landscape is by far the biggest driver of Scottish tourism, with 70% of visitors saying it was one of the reasons they chose Scotland.
But despite Scotland’s world-famous natural beauty, centuries of human activity and new threats like climate change have left nature in trouble. Today, Scotland is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and 1 in 9 species is at risk of extinction here.
The good news is that nature can recover. People across Scotland want the Scottish government to do more to protect and restore our natural environment.
Over recent decades, despite governments globally promising to act for nature, we have seen a continued decline in biodiversity. There have been specific success stories, including in Scotland – like the return of the red kite to Scotland’s skies, and otters and salmon to our formerly polluted rivers. But, despite this, the overall approach isn’t working.
Supporters of Scotland Loves Nature want the Scottish government to set legally binding targets to restore nature. These targets require a change in the law through a Natural Environment Bill.
Legally binding targets make the government accountable to all of us. Targets are clear, measurable commitments that require the government to make progress within a defined timeframe. The public, and stakeholders such as environmental charities, can monitor the government’s actions and hold it accountable. And government ministers will themselves have to report on progress.
Targets encourage long-term planning and strategic thinking, as opposed to short-term fixes. The government is more likely to implement comprehensive policies and strategies that address the root causes of issues rather than just the symptoms.
Legal targets have been used by the Scottish government in several areas, including to tackle climate change and reduce child poverty.
Much more needs to be done to tackle these problems, but targets have made a difference. Scotland’s climate targets have led to climate change being mainstreamed and seen as a priority across government departments. And child poverty targets were followed by the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, a significant investment.
Even when specific targets are missed, as has happened with some of Scotland’s interim climate targets, the process of striving towards them often results in significant incremental progress. For example, Scotland has seen substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increased investment in renewable energy.
These examples show that targets have been a powerful tool. They provide a clear framework for action, accountability, and measurement, encouraging sustained efforts to address complex issue and meet specific goals.
Nature targets can provide a roadmap for what needs to be achieved to reach our overarching goals. The success of these targets will depend on action.
Failing to meet binding targets can have legal consequences. This might involve citizens challenging government decisions through the courts, for example. Independent advisory bodies, such as the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) for climate targets, also provide impartial assessments and can publicly criticise the government for failing to meet targets.
Once legal targets are in place, supporters of Scotland Loves Nature – including some of Scotland’s largest conservation organisations – will continue to push for ambitious action and the necessary investment from government.
The actions we take today will determine what kind of country future generations of Scots grow up in.
Imagine a country where nature has recovered from this crisis. A Scotland where all of our communities have thriving and accessible greenspaces. Where our iconic native species are flourishing. Where our native woodlands are healthy and regenerating. Where are our rivers and seas are clean and full of life.
We can choose to have this future – and it can start with a Natural Environment Bill that sets nature recovery targets.
