Biodiversity Programme Advisory Group – citizen and society target indicators: summary of responses
The Biodiversity Programme Advisory Group (PAG) has provided expert recommendations to inform statutory nature restoration targets under Scotland’s proposed Natural Environment Bill, a key component of the strategic framework for biodiversity in Scotland.
5. Summary of options
Below summarises the evidence sources that have been mentioned above. Those in green would be ready to be indicators, those in orange would need further work to be established.
Indicator type
Self-reported understanding via survey
- Target element: Understanding (cognitive)
- Readiness: Already included within SPANS and SCS
Higher education stats for college, university and apprenticeships
- Target element: Understanding (cognitive)
- Readiness: Already collected, would require determining, which courses to include
Outdoor learning
- Target element: Understanding
- Readiness: Would need further exploration and work to find a suitable indicator
Self-reported nature connectedness via survey
- Target element: Understanding (connectedness)
- Readiness: Already included SPANS and SCS
Self-reported access and time spent in nature via survey
- Target element: Benefiting
- Readiness: existing indicators
Self-reported benefits (focus on mental and physical health) via survey
- Target element: Benefiting
- Readiness: Already included in SPANS
Proximity to green/blue space
- Target element: Benefiting
- Readiness: Would need further work to devise a suitable indicator
Self-reported pro-nature behaviours via survey
- Target element: Contributing
- Readiness: Already included in SPANS
Citizen science
- Target element: Contributing
- Readiness: Would need further exploration and work to find a suitable indicator
Business sustainability via B-Corp certification
- Target element: Contributing
- Readiness: Data already collected by accreditor
Summary of surveys;
| Title | Size | Frequency | Issuer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) | 12,000 | 3 yearly | NatureScot |
| Scottish Household Survey (SHS) | 10,000 | annual | SG |
| NatureScot Opinion Survey (NOS) | 1000 | Annual/biennial | NatureScot |
| Scotland’s Climate Survey (SCS) | 5000 | 2024 only (aim for annually) | SG |
All survey questions relevant to this target are listed here C&S target - current potential indicators
Contact
Email: biodiversity@gov.scot