Today the Scottish Government has published its Natural Environment Bill, which requires statutory targets for nature restoration, modernises the aims and powers of National Park Authorities and reforms legislation around deer management.

In the 2023 consultation we welcomed the setting of clear, ambitious and updateable targets for nature restoration. The Natural Environment Bill now before Holyrood creates a framework for nature restoration targets, without the detail we need to know if it will lead to the recovery of Scotland’s land and seas.. 2030, a critical year for the government’s nature ambitions, is now just five years away. 

We also urged the Scottish Government to listen to mounting scientific evidence and embed rewilding into their nature recovery targets. This would show the growing number of rewilders across Scotland that they have been accepted by the government as part of the solution to the dual nature and climate crises. The Natural Environment Bill requires ministers to seek scientific advice when setting targets - we hope this will include evidence on the potential of rewilding to contribute to Scotland’s climate and nature targets. 

This is evidence we would be happy to provide to policy makers as the legislation progresses.

We're pleased to see updates to the aims of Scotland's national parks, including the regeneration of biodiversity. Ensuring that other public bodies must implement National Park Plans is also welcome, enabling greater coordination in park areas. However, we’re disappointed to see that our national parks have not been given an overarching purpose to restore nature and lead on a just, green transition.

NatureScot’s powers to enforce deer management have been strengthened - but last year’s proposal for Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders has been dropped. 

Proposals to improve the Scottish Government’s ability to update environmental and habitat legislation have been included. This will ensure that key legislative frameworks which underpin environmental protection can be updated. The bill must ensure that this means stronger protections and close any loopholes.

Yesterday, the First Minister urged bold action on tackling the climate emergency in a speech at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It’s imperative that bold actions are taken to tackle the equally critical, and connected, nature emergency. 

But in the past few months, we’ve seen that this is a government that picks its battles on nature restoration. We’ve seen continued delays to measures that would help protect and restore our seas. We’ve seen the First Minister refuse to have a considered debate on lynx reintroduction. Recent announcements on Scotland’s agricultural budget - with most funding going into foundational payments, and less into enhanced environmental practices - also call into question Scotland’s ability to meet any nature targets it might set.

The need for an urgent response to the nature and climate crises will and should force everyone’s hand. 

Decades from now, people will remember those politicians who took bold steps to transform the fortunes of Scotland’s natural environment and people. 

We need clear, ambitious and updatable targets and we need legislation that prioritises ecological restoration. 

Photo credit: Marieke Peche