Biodiversity strategy
We are working to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and restore nature by 2040. Scotland’s natural environment underpins our economy, wellbeing and our quality of life. Protecting and restoring it is therefore essential. These commitments align with major international frameworks, including the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and EU principles,
Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan
We published the final version of the Scottish biodiversity strategy to 2045 in November 2024. The strategy is supported by the first in a series of rolling delivery plans, Scottish biodiversity delivery plan 2024-2030. Alongside statutory targets for nature conservation, these publications form our strategic framework for biodiversity.
Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, Scottish Ministers are required to designate one or more strategies for the conservation of biodiversity. The Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 sets our ambition to be Nature Positive by 2030. The Strategy forms one of the three pillars of Scotland’s strategic framework for biodiversity. It was published with the first in a series of six yearly rolling delivery plans 2024 tp 2030 and, importantly, new statutory nature restoration targets.
Governance, monitoring and evaluation
Our approach to governance, monitoring and evaluation for the strategic framework for biodiversity is set out in the publication: Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan - SBS: governance, monitoring and evaluation.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 requires us to report on our progress on the strategy every three years. We will publish the first progress report for the biodiversity strategy to 2045 will by 2027.
Biodiversity investment plan
Investment in restoring and protecting Scotland’s natural environment is essential if needed to tackle the nature and climate emergencies effectively. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) makes clear that working with and investing in nature is a top priority for Scotland’s wellbeing economy.
We published the biodiversity investment plan (February 2025), which works with our Natural Capital Market Framework to build a nature finance system that funds high integrity biodiversity outcomes.
Framework for costing action
We commissioned academic research to assess the costs of biodiversity projects and programmes in support of the strategy’s outcomes. Read the report on Developing a framework for costing action on biodiversity in Scotland (PDF). This helped inform our biodiversity investment plan.
Scottish biodiversity list
We published the Scottish biodiversity list (SBL) in November 2025. This is a list of species and habitats important to furthering the conservation of biodiversity, as required by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.