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

2. Annex A

Citizens and society understanding, benefitting from and contributing to nature:

Defining the target and exploring potential indicators

PAG paper

2.1 Background

The Scottish Government is intending to introduce statutory nature restoration targets within the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill. The targets are seen as a key mechanism for delivering on the overarching vision of the strategy to halt biodiversity decline by 2030 and restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045.

The targets have been developed with input, advice and recommendations from the Biodiversity Programme Advisory Group (PAG). Thus far, the PAG has recommended seven topics that targets should cover and scoped potential available indicators to represent those topics. Of the seven topics identified by the PAG, three have indicators that are largely available and ready to be used with some minor development (Habitats; Species; and Enhancing conditions for nature), two have part indicator coverage but need more development work to be used (Ecosystem integrity and health, and Citizens and society benefitting, contributing and understanding nature) and two require new indicator development (Investment in nature and Positive outcomes in public sector policy).

It is likely that biodiversity policy will recommend that the target topics on Ecosystem integrity and health, Habitats, Species, Enhancing conditions for nature and Citizens and society benefitting, contributing and understanding nature are taken forward. Work needs to therefore be undertaken to further develop indicator options for the two target topics where gaps have been identified: Ecosystem integrity and health, and Citizens and society benefitting, contributing and understanding nature.

This paper sets out the basis for the PAG sub-group on reviewing and recommending indicators for the Citizen and Society target.

2.2 Need for the target

The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services sets out the five ‘direct drivers’ of biodiversity loss which are prominently covered in the proposed statutory targets, and the equally important ‘indirect drivers’ of biodiversity loss. The latter are the key underlying causes of biodiversity loss and are identified to be people’s disconnect with nature and the consequent lack of recognition for the value and importance of nature. Attempts to address the direct drivers without addressing the underlying indirect causes will be inefficient or likely to fail.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy has a high-level objective to take action on the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss.

Priority actions in the Delivery Plan, that the target would drive, include strengthening the connection between people and communities and nature, embedding biodiversity and nature in curriculum development, mainstreaming across government policy and addressing unsustainable supply and demand.

These Actions align with CBD Goal B and Targets 14, 15, 16 and 18.