Landscape and outdoor access
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Draft Environment Strategy
The draft Environment Strategy sets out a holistic framework for delivering Scotland’s role in tackling the global crises of nature loss, climate change and pollution. It brings together our existing policy response to tackling these crises and builds on these by outlining new priorities and proposals.
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Draft Environment Strategy: strategic environmental assessment
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to determine the potential impacts of implementation of the draft Environment Strategy on the environment.
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Draft Environment Strategy: consultation
This consultation seeks your views on the draft Environment Strategy. The draft Strategy sets out a holistic framework for delivering Scotland’s role in tackling the global crises of nature loss, climate change and pollution.
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Proposed National Good Food Nation Plan: Equality Impact Assessment
An equality impact assessment for the proposed national Good Food Nation Plan. An updated version will be published alongside the final national Good Food Nation Plan in late 2025.
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Geàrr-chunntas air a' Phlana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh
A Gaelic translation of an executive summary of the proposed national Good Food Nation Plan.
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Plana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh – Measadh-buaidhe air Coimhearsnachdan Eileanach
A Gaelic translation of the Island Communities Impact Assessment for the national Good Food Nation Plan.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment
Child Rights and Wellbeing impact assessment for the National Good Food Nation Plan.
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Proposed national Good Food Nation Plan consultation: statement
This statement on the consultation on the proposed national Good Food Nation Plan, as required by section 4(5) of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022, sets out how consultation throughout the development of the Plan has informed the approach taken.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
The Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment for the national Good Food Nation Plan.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: Island Communities Impact Assessment
The Island Communities impact assessment for the national Good Food Nation Plan.
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NPF4 planning guidance: policy 2 - climate mitigation and adaptation
Planning guidance supporting the consistent, proportionate and effective application of National Planning Framework 4 Policy 2 on climate mitigation and adaptation.
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Record levels of peatland restored
Scotland on track to meet interim peatland restoration target.
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Wild salmon strategy implementation plan: annual progress report 2024
The second annual progress report under the Scottish wild salmon strategy implementation plan covering progress in 2024.
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New National Park decision
No designation for Galloway and Ayrshire.
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Milestone reached - £65 million invested in nature projects
Nature Restoration Fund extended following success.
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Ecosystem Restoration Code: engagement paper
Engagement paper for the Scottish Government-NatureScot partnership project to develop an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) for Scotland. The paper summarises key evidence on the operation and scope of potential nature / biodiversity markets in Scotland.
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Climate change - public engagement strategy: mid-point review
The climate change public engagement strategy committed to a review at the mid-point of delivery. The review provides a summary of activities delivered since the publication of the strategy, reflects on the approach being taken and recommends improvements to achieve objectives in future delivery.
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Environment strategy: transformative changes for sustainability
Independent report by Professor Valerie Nelson on behalf of the Scottish Government to inform the development of the forthcoming Scottish Government environment strategy.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy - Gaelic version - Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
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National Flood Resilience Strategy: consultation analysis
Analysis of the responses to the National Flood Resilience Strategy consultation exercise.
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New deal for agriculture
Flexible grants to drive efficiency, support nature and climate friendly farming.
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Scottish new National Parks - phase 2 - strategic environmental assessment (SEA): SEA reasonable alternatives report
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) addendum report for the future of National Parks proposals in Scotland
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Flood Resilience Strategy: case studies
Examples of diverse initiatives around Scotland that are in some way contributing to our flood resilience.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy: Easy Read
The easy read version of the National Flood Resilience Strategy.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy
Sets out a vision for a flood resilient Scotland through to 2045 and beyond.
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Restoring Scotland’s rainforests
£5 million for precious habitat.
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Tackling the nature emergency
Ambition to halt nature loss by 2030.
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Crofting law reform
Analysis of consultation responses published.
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Attracting private investment in nature
Launch of Scotland’s Natural Capital Market Framework.
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Nature’s role in economy
Jobs and sectors dependent on sustainable natural world.
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National Park consultation
Extended time to comment on proposal for Galloway to become a National Park.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: children's version
Children's version of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029. This version can be used to support learning and sets out the actions the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: joint equalities impact assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty assessment
Joint equalities impact assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty assessment undertaken for Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029
Sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change. This Adaptation Plan sets out actions from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - draft Scottish national adaptation plan 3 2024 - 2029: consultation analysis
Analysis of responses to consultation on the draft Scottish National Adaptation Plan 3 (SNAP3) 2024 to 2029.
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Realistic Medicine - Taking Care: Chief Medical Officer for Scotland annual report 2023 to 2024
This is the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith's fourth annual report, and the eighth report on Realistic Medicine. The overarching aim of Realistic Medicine is to deliver better value care for patients, and for our health and care system.
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Scotland's Land Use Strategy Annual Progress Report – 2023/2024
Fifth annual progress report on Scotland's land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It covers the period of March 2023 to March 2024.
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World Heritage status for Flow Country
UNESCO recognise global importance of its natural habitat.
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New National Park is proposed in Galloway
Consultation and study to begin.
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Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy: progress report
This sets out the policy framework for air quality in Scotland to 2026 and includes a comprehensive list of actions across ten policy areas. This third annual report summarises progress on actions since the last report in September 2023.
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Record high peatland restoration
Improving climate change resilience.
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Aithris Bhliadhnail air Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean 2023
Gaelic version of the National Islands Plan annual report 2023
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - planning guidance: final impact assessment report update
This impact assessment report update relates to our planning guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods which was produced to support the implementation of the policy framework within the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: planning guidance
The guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods aims to encourage, promote and facilitate the application of the Place Principle and create connected and compact neighbourhoods which prioritise environmental, social and economic sustainability.
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Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill
Supporting sustainable farming and crofting.
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Rural and island community support
Spring Budget needs to invest in environment and food production.
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Nominations for new National Park
Assessment of nominations will now begin.
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Climate change - national adaptation plan 2024 to 2029: consultation - easy read
The impacts of climate change are already being felt by people in Scotland. That is why, as well as taking action to reduce emissions, we must also take steps to adapt to climate change. This is an easy-read version of the consultation on the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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National Good Food Nation Plan
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes for a Good Food Nation; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of a wide range of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government.
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Green land investment in rural Scotland: social and economic impacts
Outlines the findings of research into the range of potential social and economic impacts relating to new forms of green land investment in rural Scotland.
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Scottish Household Survey 2022: Key Findings
Selected findings from the 2022 Scottish Household Survey, organised by topic area.
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Scottish islands: data overview 2023
This report gives a snapshot of Scotland's island-level data as collated in the new Scottish Islands Data Dashboard and draws out key findings relating to each of the strategic objective topic areas set out in the National Islands Plan.
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Land use strategy: fourth annual progress report 2022-2023
Fourth annual progress report on Scotland's land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. It covers the period of March 2022 to March 2023.
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New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework
Information on the nomination process for the New National Park(s) project, including links to all key documents for nominating groups.
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Out to Play - caring for our outdoor spaces
Guidance to make the most of the outdoor spaces your early learning and childcare settings use and caring for the environment through embedding Learning for Sustainability. This guidance supports practitioners to provide high quality outdoor play experiences.
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New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation analysis
Consultation analysis report on the draft appraisal framework criteria for new National Parks.
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Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (Conservation Bodies and Rural Housing Bodies) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Order 2023: EQIA
The equality impact assessment (EQIA) supports the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (Conservation Bodies and Rural Housing Bodies) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Order 2023.
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Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report
This environmental report is part of the strategic environmental assessment for the future of National Parks in Scotland.
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Environment - guiding principles: statutory guidance
This guidance provides information on how officials across government should apply the environmental principles when developing policy.
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Environment - guiding principles consultation: statutory guidance – Parliamentary statement and analysis report
As required by section 18(4) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 the Scottish Government has provided a parliamentary statement and an analysis report on the consultation on Scotland’s Guiding Principles on the Environment: Statutory Guidance.
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Just transition in land use and agriculture: a discussion paper
This discussion paper is intended to support engagement on a just transition for the land use and agriculture sectors. Building on this engagement, a draft targeted action plan and route map (late 23/24) will outline the key steps to delivering a fair transition.
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Scottish Natural Capital Accounts: 2023
This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.
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New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation
We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations in Scotland. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks.
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New National Parks - nomination process and draft appraisal framework: consultation
We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks in Scotland.
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Next steps for national parks in Scotland
Call for expressions of interest from local areas.
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - planning guidance: consultation
We are seeking views on this draft guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods to support the implementation of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - draft guidance consultation: impact assessment report update
The impact assessment report update relates to the consultation on our draft guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods, produced to support the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
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Environment Strategy for Scotland: second progress report
The second annual report to Parliament on progress in developing the Environment Strategy for Scotland, as required under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.
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National parks - challenge exercise: summary analysis
Summary analysis of contributions made to the 'Future for National Parks in Scotland' challenge exercise, May to June 2022, on our public dialogue platform www.ideas.gov.scot.
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Scotland's Blue Economy: current status review
Describes our starting position in the transition to adopting a Blue Economy approach to marine sectors, communities, and the environment. It provides us with the foundation to consider how we can track our progress and determine if significant and lasting change is occurring.
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Funding to help nature projects grow
Supporting and scaling up responsible investment in nature.
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Scotland’s international reputation grows
Natural Beauty, Tourism and Governance score highly in new survey.
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Protecting and enhancing nature
More funding for local nature restoration projects.
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New National Parks for Scotland
Public encouraged to take part in consultation.
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Scottish Natural Capital Accounts 2022
This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.
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Promoting responsible investment in Scotland’s natural assets
New principles to develop a socially fairer, high-integrity market.
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Big ambitions for Wee Forests
Connecting people and nature.
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California signs Scotland’s world-leading nature declaration
Governments and cities encouraged to take action for nature at COP26.
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Transforming derelict land
First grants awarded from new £50 million fund.
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Land use strategy 2016-2021: second annual progress report
Second annual progress report on the land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. It covers the period of March 2020 to March 2021.
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Woodland ownership: key data
Key data taken from analyses of a survey of woodland owners carried out between 2012 and 2015.
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Implementation of Scottish Government policy on protecting Ramsar sites
This note provides guidance on how the Scottish Government expects its policy on the protection of Ramsar sites to be implemented.
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Natural heritage designated areas in Scotland: map
Map showing all the natural heritage designated areas in Scotland.
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Scottish Natural Heritage: factsheet
Information on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), our lead advisory body on nature, wildlife management, and landscape management across Scotland.
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Making more of Scotland’s land
Vision for land rights and responsibilities.
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Scottish land rights and responsibilities statement
Statement of land rights and responsibilities in Scotland, as required by Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
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Land access: monitoring implementation of Part 1 of the Land Reform Act
Trends summary and full monitoring reports collating data submitted by the access authorities regarding implementation of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
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National Scenic Areas of Scotland: maps
Maps of all the National Scenic Areas (NSAs).
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National Scenic Areas of Scotland: overview map
Map showing all 40 of the National Scenic Areas (NSAs) in Scotland.