Draft Environment Strategy: consultation

Consultation on the draft Environment Strategy

Ministerial introduction

Playing Scotland’s role in tackling the global crises of nature loss, climate change and pollution creates enormous opportunities for our country. By transitioning to a green economy and shifting towards sustainable lifestyles, we can become a fairer, more prosperous and resilient nation. We can create new opportunities for jobs, businesses and investment, improve people’s health and wellbeing, tackle poverty and promote social justice.

These global crises are an existential threat to humanity and we are already witnessing their impacts at home in Scotland and across the globe. Scotland must play its full role in tackling these interlinked crises to help protect our planet for current and future generations and the rest of life on Earth. In doing so, we will strive to realise the huge potential for strengthening our economy, improving people’s lives and reducing inequalities.

Our vision is that by 2045, we will have transformed our country for the better by restoring nature, ending Scotland's contribution to climate change and tackling pollution, helping to secure the wellbeing of our people and planet for generations to come.

Achieving this vision will rely on a collaborative, national effort and we all –government, businesses and individuals – have a role to play. It will require positive changes across our economy and society so that, as a nation, we thrive within the planet’s sustainable limits. Scotland’s journey towards this vision is already underway. We have halved our greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 and achieved a rapid expansion in renewable energy. We have made significant progress in tackling air pollution and are introducing ambitious actions to limit the use of single-use plastics. Our forthcoming Natural Environment Bill will introduce new statutory targets for restoring nature in Scotland.

These crises demand an urgent and transformative response and we know that we must accelerate this journey. The Environment Strategy will, therefore, act as a guide to support a whole-of-government approach to tackling the nature, climate and pollution crises. It takes an innovative, holistic approach by addressing the connections with ambitions for Scotland’s economy, our society and our role as a good global citizen. This will allow us to maximise opportunities to protect the planet in ways that help Scotland’s people and businesses to flourish.

I look forward to hearing your views on this Strategy’s vision in your responses to this consultation, and on how we can strive together as a nation to achieve it.