Draft Environment Strategy: consultation analysis

7. Conclusions

A wide range of individuals, organisations and sector experts engaged with this consultation and provided detailed, often highly informed feedback. Given the broad scope of the draft Environment Strategy, respondents drew on diverse professional, community and lived experience, offering reflections that covered the full breadth of environmental policy in Scotland. Their contributions spanned agriculture, land use, biodiversity, energy, transport, the circular economy, planning, public health, education, community development and environmental justice, demonstrating the scale and complexity of the challenges the draft Strategy seeks to address.

Overall, respondents expressed strong support for the ambition and direction set out in the draft Strategy. Many welcomed its emphasis on restoring nature, addressing climate change, improving public health and ensuring a fair transition.

At the same time, respondents identified a wide range of areas where the draft Strategy could be strengthened. These included clarifying policy pathways, improving alignment across related strategies, embedding delivery mechanisms, investing in monitoring and enforcement, and ensuring that communities and underrepresented groups are meaningfully included.

Across sectors, respondents highlighted the need for coherence between the Strategy and existing or forthcoming policies and frameworks, and emphasised that successful delivery will depend on adequate funding, clear governance, and strong cross-government coordination.

A consistent message throughout the consultation was the importance of fairness. Respondents stressed that the transition to a net zero, nature-positive and circular economy must not exacerbate existing inequalities and should bring tangible, inclusive benefits for all communities, including those in rural, island and disadvantaged areas. They also emphasised the need for decision-making that is transparent, evidence-based and grounded in local knowledge.

The breadth and depth of views shared through this consultation provide a valuable evidence base for finalising the Environment Strategy. The insights offered by respondents will help refine its outcomes, strengthen its pathways and support the development of a Strategy that is clear, deliverable and equitable. The responses underscore both the ambition and the opportunity ahead, and will play an important role in shaping a final Strategy that commands broad support and delivers meaningful progress for people, nature and the climate.