Biodiversity Programme Advisory Group – citizen and society target indicators: summary of responses

1. Summary of PAG responses on ‘Citizen and Society’ target indicators

1.1 Introduction and background

The Biodiversity Programme Advisory Group (PAG) have been providing expert advice to the Scottish Government in the development of statutory nature restoration targets. The process to select targets has been broken down into four-steps. Thus far this has involved the full PAG providing a review of the policy framework (Step 1), providing recommendations for ‘target topics’ upon which detailed targets are to be set against (Step 2) and providing a recommendation for indicators for these detailed targets (Step 3). Engagement with the PAG on the quantifiable values to be assigned to targets (Step 4) will be undertaken in due course.

During the full PAG workshop on indicators (Step 3) in March 2024, the group did not reach a consensus on recommended indicators to cover all aspects of the target topic ‘Citizen and Society understanding, benefitting from and contribution to nature’ (hereafter referred to ‘Citizens and Society’. There was a strong feeling amongst the PAG that the two indicators available from the pre-selected long list of indicators only covered one aspect of the target topic (benefiting from nature). The PAG made several suggestions relating to further areas of possible exploration.

Policy officials subsequently undertook further research to explore options for indicators for this target topic. A paper based on this research was shared with the PAG in November 2024 along with a number of associated questions to gather PAG views, advice and recommendations (see Annex A).

Six responses were received:

• Dr Rosalind Bryce (UHI) – PAG member
• Prof Davy McCracken (SRUC) – PAG member
• Prof Rob Brooker (JHI) – PAG member
• Dr Clive Mitchell (NatureScot) – PAG member
• Dr Janet Fisher (UoE) – PAG member
• Dr David O’Brien (NatureScot) - NatureScot Biodiversity Evidence and Reporting Manager (non-PAG member)

1.2 Summary of responses

Overall, respondents agreed with the way in which the target had been described and conceptualised under understanding, benefiting from, and contributing to nature. There were a couple of suggestions that people’s relationship with nature, built through experiential learning, could be separated from understanding for clarity, given their distinction while recognising it is an important element of the target to consider.

When respondents were asked if they viewed the desired actions being driven forward by the target, there was a split, with responses varying from yes, being unsure, or stating there are gaps. Some expressed there is not enough understanding of how people build their connection to nature, and therefore what actions would lead to an increase in the desired behaviour change. It was suggested an in-depth literature review would be needed.

Others saw a gap regarding the societal element of the target with the focus currently being on citizens and individual action. More societal or civil concerns such as nature considered in policy, governance, and business^[1] were suggested as gaps in the indicators.

Generally, respondents were happy that the recommended indicators met the need of some aspect of the target topic. There were suggested gaps that respondents saw value in, including:

• Benefiting from:
• Proximity to green and blue space (beyond self-reported)
• Quality of the green and blue space
• Ecosystem services provided
• Contributing to:
• Business impacts
• Consumption and production
• Governance of nature (e.g. Community ownership of green and blue space/ land)
• Policy and decision-making considering nature (in both public and private sector/ business)^[2]
• Number of community-led projects nominated for awards
• All:
• Qualitative measure such as a citizen assembly

The circulated paper had concluded that the ecosystem services that nature provide people themselves would not be captured by this target, instead captured in other indicators i.e. ‘Ecosystem Health and Integrity’ target topic. However, it was flagged by a respondent that the other indicators did not capture ecosystem services adequately and therefore they should be considered as part of this target topic. It was suggested that this aspect could be covered with the proximity of blue and green space indicator.

When asked whether there were any additional evidence sources that should be considered for the potential indicators that had previously be suggested but lacked data, there were none suggested beyond the following points;

• Natural England will be publishing The People And Nature Survey analysis which could help inform this work.
• While a data set wasn’t suggested regarding citizen science it was suggested that SE Link, National Biodiversity Network, and various apps could be used to collate data.

Most respondents felt that the list of suggested indicator areas proposed to not take forward was sufficient as they did not meet the criteria for a ‘robust indicator’. That said, as highlighted above proximity to blue and green space and land ownership were flagged as ones to keep exploring. Skills and knowledge was also flagged by one responder as an indicator area but no concrete way to measure it was suggested.

Lifestyle and consumption, particularly the role and impact of the ‘elite’, was also flagged as a gap by a respondent, which had not been previously considered by the PAG and therefore wasn’t reflected in the paper.

A concern was raised that potentially five indicators are too many for the ‘Citizen and Society’ target topic. Given the breadth of this target and the elements in which PAG members have recommended for it to consider, a balance will be required between indicators capturing what is needed and keeping the number of indicators to a manageable quantity. Respondents also raised questions regarding quantitative vs qualitative measures and validity of self-reported data.

1.3 Conclusion

The conclusion from this work is there is still agreement that the ‘Citizen and Society’ target topic has merit. However, at present there is a lack of consensus and agreement from the PAG regarding whether the proposed indicators (of self-reported questions via SPANs and Scotland's Household Survey) alone meet the target aspirations and whether they would lead to the desired actions.

Scottish Government officials will now consider these conclusions and explore options for next steps for the ‘Citizen and Society’ target topic based on this conclusion.

1.4 Next steps

Ask of the PAG is to do the following:

• Confirm the above summary accurately reflects the responses given by PAG members.
• Confirm the conclusion that further work is needed to define the indicators is accurate.

Please contact Jack Bloodworth, if there are any questions, queries or concerns from this summary paper.