Draft marine and coastal restoration plan: strategic environmental assessment environmental report

8 Appendix B: Broader Policy Context of the Plan

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1 This appendix sets out the broader policy context in which the Plan sits, beginning with a summary of relevant marine policies and followed by an overview of policies relating to the SEA topics that have been scoped into the assessment, specifically Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna; Population and Human Health; Soil (benthic (seabed) substrates and habitats); Water; Climatic Factors; Material Assets; Cultural Heritage; and Landscape/Seascape^[98].

8.2 General marine policy

8.2.1 At an international level, the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic integrated and updated the 1972 Oslo and 1974 Paris Conventions on land-generated sources of marine pollution ^[99]. Specifically, it added an annex covering the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity⁹⁹.

8.2.2 The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive obligates Member States to develop adaptive management strategies to bring their marine environments to Good Environmental Status, as well as to safeguard the marine resources that underlie key economic and social activities^[100]. It allocates responsibility for the marine environment via a regional approach that in the case of the UK, makes use of the existing cooperative framework of the OSPAR Convention^[101]. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK reports progress towards Good Environmental Status (GES) through its Marine Strategy^[102].

8.2.3 At a UK level, the Marine Strategy Regulations (2010) require the UK to take the necessary measures to achieve or maintain GES through the development of a UK Marine Strategy. It sets out the UK level policy framework for the delivery of the vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas. GES has not been achieved overall^[103]..

8.2.4 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 devolved new marine planning and conservation powers to Scottish Ministers in the offshore region (12 – 200 NM), in addition to providing a framework for cooperative management of the marine environment between Scottish Ministers and UK Government^[104].

8.2.5 At a national level, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 strives to help balance competing demands on Scotland’s inshore seas^[105]. It introduced a duty to protect and enhance the marine natural and historic environment while at the same time streamlining the marine planning and licensing system.

8.2.6 Scotland’s National Marine Plan fulfils joint requirements under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to prepare marine plans, providing a cohesive approach to the management of both inshore and offshore waters^[106]. It enacts the principles of EU Directive 2014/89/EU^[107] on maritime spatial planning, which recognise that a comprehensive and consistent approach to maritime planning can prevent conflicts between sectors, increase cross-border cooperation, and protect the environment by identifying potential impacts early and pursuing opportunities for multiple uses of space^[108]. The National Marine Plan also seeks to promote development in a way that is compatible with the protection and enhancement of the marine environment^[109]

8.2.7 In the Programme for Government 2022-2023, Scottish Ministers committed to begin the process of developing a new National Marine Plan for Scotland, to address the global climate and nature crises, by carefully managing increased competition for space and resources in the marine environment^[110]. This commitment was reaffirmed in the Programme for Government 2024 to 2025^[111].

8.2.8 Alongside the National Marine Plan, there are 11 Scottish Marine Regions (which extend out to 12 NM). Regional marine plans are currently in the process of being prepared by three Regional Marine Planning Partnerships. Regional marine plans are themselves not required to be developed, but where they exist, they need to be developed in conformity with the National Marine Plan (unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise). The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is the national spatial strategy for Scotland^[112]. It sets out spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments and national planning policy. Policy outcomes of particular relevance within NPF4 include:

• Zero carbon, nature positive places;
• Biodiversity is enhanced and better connected including through strengthened nature networks and nature-based solutions;
• Natural places are protected and restored; and
• Natural assets are managed in a sustainable way that maintains and grows their essential benefits and services.

8.2.9 In order to make Scotland a global leader in marine management, the Blue Economy Vision was published^[113], which recognises that Scotland’s seas and waters have a key role to play in contributing to the nation’s future economic prosperity, especially in remote, rural and island communities, and that a healthy marine environment is essential to supporting this ambition^[114]. The Vision identifies six outcomes acting as focal points to ensure the marine environment supports ecosystem health, improved livelihoods, economic prosperity, social inclusion and wellbeing. One of the key outcomes from the Blue Economy is identified within the Vision as ‘Scotland’s marine ecosystems are healthy and functioning’. In addition, during the 2020-2021 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government committed to the development of a Blue Economy Action Plan^[115]. The plan will launch a programme of collaborative projects across the public sector, Scotland's science base, marine industries and the marine environmental sector.

8.3 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna

8.3.1 At an international level, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, is dedicated to promoting sustainable development^[116]. The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings^[117]. The 15^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) which aims to put nature on a path to recover by 2030. The Framework comprises 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, en route to ‘living in harmony with nature’ by 2050^[118]. The 16^th meeting took place in Cali, Columbia in October 2024, and led to an agreement on the expanded role of indigenous peoples and local communities in protecting biodiversity^[119]. Further agreement on a strategy to raise the funds needed to achieve the KMGBF was agreed in February 2025, concluding COP16^[120].

8.3.2 The OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic is an important driver in the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity, including the establishment of an ecologically coherent network of MPAs in the North East Atlantic^[121]. The OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats^[122] identifies species and habitats that are considered to be priorities for protection.

8.3.3 Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the requirements of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)^[123] and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC)^[124] are a part of UK domestic legislation, namely the Habitats Regulations^[125] as amended by the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019^[126],[127]. These requirements focus on the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity, with an emphasis on protecting rare and endangered wild species and natural habitats of European significance. The UK site network^[128] comprises terrestrial and marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Many of the terrestrial sites are also underpinned by a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation^[129].

8.3.4 At the national level, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010^[130] and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009^[131] gives Scottish Ministers powers to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scottish territorial and offshore waters, respectively.

8.3.5 The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity^[132] is Scotland’s response to the international United Nations (UN) Aichi Targets for 2020^[133] and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020^[134]. The 2020 Challenge supplements the 2004 Scottish Biodiversity Strategy^[135] and together they comprise the overall Scottish Biodiversity Strategy^[136]. Key aims include preserving and restoring the health of Scotland’s ecosystems at a catchment-scale and promoting climate change resilience.

8.3.6 In 2020, Scottish Government published a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Post-2020: Statement of Intent which sets the direction for a new biodiversity strategy which will respond to the increased urgency for action to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change^[137]. A consultation on the new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy consultation opened on 20 June 2022 and closed on 12 September 2022^[138].

8.3.7 Following several further draft versions the final Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 was subsequently published on 27 November 2024^[139]. This Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s ambition for Scotland to end biodiversity loss and be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045. The Strategy will drive the transformation needed to manage and restore terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity resources in Scotland, as well as providing a framework for prioritising and coordinating actions and investments. The final version of the strategy reflects the agreements made at COP15.

8.3.8 The Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a fund designed to help support projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change. It has awarded over £55 million since its launch in 2021 including to more than 240 projects through the competitive fund administered through NatureScot^[140].

8.3.9 The Scottish Government has a long term commitment to ensure the sustainable management of the marine environment and to balance the competing interests for use and protection of the sea. This is a high policy priority to fulfil duties in legislation and political commitments, as well as contributing to UK and international networks of protected areas. The Scottish Government is developing fisheries management measures for existing offshore MPAs; existing inshore MPAs; and to protect Priority Marine Features (PMFs) outside of the MPA network. Management measures for offshore MPAs (within 12 – 200 NM of the shore) have been consulted on^[141]. A consultation for inshore MPAs and PMFs outside of the MPA network is forthcoming.

8.3.10 The Scottish Seabird Action Plan has been created through the recognition that many of Scotland’s internationally important seabird populations are at risk from a range of pressures, including climate change and avian influenza. Focusing on 22 species of seabird, the vision is that by 2045, Scotland’s seabird colonies are thriving and showing improved resilience to climate change with increases in abundance and breeding success since 2023 studies. This will be carried out through partnership delivery of ambitious, effective and adaptive actions to address existing pressures and emerging threats in Scottish seas and coasts for seabirds. This will be supported by underpinning research, raising awareness and international collaboration^[142].

8.3.11 The Marine Litter Strategy outlines priority actions to tackle marine litter in Scotland. The 2022 update builds on the original 2014 strategy^[143] which aimed to co-ordinate action on marine litter throughout the whole of Scotland. The updated strategy has planned action on sewage-related debris, plastic pellets, fishing gear, and aquaculture gear. This strategy works in parallel with the terrestrial National Litter and fly tipping Strategy^[144].

8.3.12 The UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy aims to ensure effective management to achieve and maintain favourable condition status of the eight most common dolphin and porpoise species in UK waters, as well as minke whales. The species have been selected as they occur predictably in UK waters and have similar characteristics and conservation needs. In its collaborative and high level approach, it aims to:

• Address existing and emerging pressures in the marine environment, with a view to conserve UK dolphin, porpoise, and minke whale populations;
• Acknowledge where work is already planned or underway to meet conservation targets; and
• Create opportunities for sectoral collaboration^[145].

8.3.13 Recognising the twin global climate emergency and nature crisis, Scottish Government is developing a Strategic Compensation Policy for Offshore Wind. This is subject to its own separate SEA and consultation.

8.3.14 With regards to sustainable fisheries management, the Joint Fisheries Statement outlines the policies for achieving the eight fisheries objectives in the Fisheries Act 2020 to deliver a thriving, sustainable fishing industry and healthy marine environment for the UK. The Joint Fisheries Statement allows the UK to develop fisheries management plans to help deliver the ambition for sustainable fisheries^[146].

8.3.15 Scotland’s Future Fisheries Management Strategy for 2020 to 2030 sets out the approach to managing Scotland’s sea fisheries as part of the wider Blue Economy. This is to manage inshore, offshore and onshore fishing activity and fishing pressures sustainably, in a safe, responsible and compliant manner^[147]. Scotland are drafting a Future Catching Policy which will be a key component of this fisheries management strategy. This will develop new rules in cooperation with stakeholders to regulate activity at sea to support the increased accountability and sustainability of Scottish fisheries^[148].

8.3.16 To protect Salmon species in Scotland, The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 consolidated the majority of Scottish salmon and freshwater fisheries law. This has provided the framework for a number of regulatory areas, including protection of juvenile and spawning salmon, passage of salmon, and legal methods of fishing and offences^[149]. The Wild Salmon Strategy is a Scottish initiative aimed at protecting and recovering wild salmon populations through five broad priority themes for action, recognising the decline and importance of these fish^[150].

8.4 Soil

8.4.1 The topic of ‘Soil’ will be given consideration under the topic of ‘Biodiversity, Flora, and Fauna’. As such, soil policy and protection objectives relevant to the assessment are set out below.

8.4.2 EU Directive 2014/89/EU (the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive) consolidated and expanded upon the fundamental aspects of the Council Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management of 2002 and the Protocol to the Barcelona Convention on Integrated Coastal Zone Management of 2010, obligating the development of coastal management strategies. It aims to coordinate the development and delivery of policies across a wide spectrum of both marine and terrestrial activities in a way that is mindful of the natural limits of the coastal environment^[151].

8.4.3 In Scotland, Integrated Coastal Zone Management is achieved via the work of Local Coastal Partnerships^[152]. In addition, Marine Directorate Science is responsible for monitoring, research, and regulation of certain coastal activities.

8.4.4 At present, there is no legislative or policy tool developed specifically for the protection of soil ^[153]. However, designations and their associated management agreements and operations often extend protection to soil as a means of enhancing the biodiversity, geodiversity, landform value, and cultural resources of the site¹⁵³. For example, marine geology forms part of the basis for the designation of MPAs within Scottish waters^[154]. Specifically, MPAs strive to protect rare and representative marine species, habitats, and geodiversity, the latter defined as the variety of landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscape.

8.4.5 The UK Marine Strategy covers 11 elements or descriptors, including sea-floor integrity (Descriptor 6 (D6)) comprising pelagic habitats and benthic habitats, and hydrographical conditions (D7)^[155]. In terms of benthic habitats, the high level objective for GES is to ensure the health of seabed habitats is not significantly negatively affected by human activities^[156]. In terms of hydrological conditions, the high level objective is that the nature and scale of any permanent changes to hydrographical conditions resulting from anthropogenic activities do not have significant long term impacts on UK habitats and species.

8.4.6 The Scottish Soil Framework places the sustainable management of soils within the context of the economic, social, and environmental needs of Scotland¹⁵³. The Framework identifies 13 key soil outcomes such as protecting soil biodiversity, reducing and remediating soil erosion, and tackling Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. The Framework also notes the impacts that rising sea levels and associated seasonal incursion by seawater could have on coastal soils.

8.5 Water

8.5.1 The topic of ‘Water’ will be given consideration under the topic of ‘Biodiversity, Flora, and Fauna’. As such, water policy and protection objectives relevant to the assessment are set out below.

8.5.2 The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) regulates accidental and operational releases of pollutants into the marine environment by the shipping industry, including oil and other chemicals^[157].

8.5.3 The EU’s Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) was introduced as a more comprehensive approach to managing and protecting Europe’s water bodies including rivers, lochs, transitional waters, coastal waters, and groundwater resources^[158]. It sets out a requirement for an assessment of both chemical and ecological status and has a goal of bringing all European waters to ‘good’ chemical and ecological status. Scotland fulfils its water protection obligations under the WFD primarily through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003^[159], which defines the establishment of RBMPs^[160], and the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011^[161]. Other relevant legislation includes the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012, which applies specifically to pollution originating from industry discharges^[162].

8.5.4 The Marine Strategy extends the requirements of the WFD into seas beyond 1 NM (3 NM in Scotland). The UK Marine Strategy covers 11 elements or descriptors, including eutrophication (D5), hydrographical conditions (D7) and contaminants (D8)^[163]. In relation to eutrophication (D5), the high-level objective for GES is to minimise human-induced eutrophication in UK marine waters^[164]. As outlined in Section 8.4.5, for hydrographic changes (D7), the GES objective is to ensure that the nature and scale of any permanent changes to hydrographical conditions resulting from anthropogenic activities do not have significant long-term impacts on UK habitats and species. For contaminants (D8), the GES objective is that concentrations of specified contaminants in water, sediment or marine biota, and their effects, are lower than thresholds that cause harm to sea life and are not increasing.

8.5.5 The EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC)^[165] is implemented at the national level through the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009^[166]. The Directive mandates the creation of flood risk management plans for all inland and coastal areas at risk of flooding, integrating their development and deployment with existing RBMPs. Flood risk management plans are designed to minimise negative impacts due to flooding on a range of receptors, including human health, the environment, and cultural heritage.

8.5.6 Under the WFD, RBMPs must be produced every six years which set the status of waterbodies and environmental objectives required for all waterbodies to reach ‘good’ status by 2027^[167]. The current RBMPs run from 2021 – 2027^[168].

8.6 Climatic Factors

8.6.1 The topic of ‘Climatic Factors’ will be given consideration under the topic of ‘Biodiversity, Flora, and Fauna’. As such, climatic factors policy and protection objectives relevant to the assessment are set out below.

8.6.2 In November 2016, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement came into force^[169]. The Paris Agreement is the first legally binding global climate deal and sets out aims to limit global warming to well below 2^oC as well as pursue further efforts to limit it to 1.5^oC. A further long term goal is to achieve net-zero levels of GHG emissions by the second half of this century. The Agreement also covers a range of other issues such as mitigation through reducing emissions, adaptation, and loss and damage.

8.6.3 The Climate Change Act 2008 is the basis for the UK’s approach to tackling and responding to climate change^[170]. It requires that emissions of carbon dioxide and other GHGs are reduced and that climate change risks are adapted to. The Act also establishes the framework to deliver on these requirements. The Act supports the UK’s commitment to urgent international action to tackle climate change. The Climate Change Act commits the UK government by law to reducing GHG emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050. This includes reducing emissions from the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), which currently account for about 20% of the UK’s emissions. The Climate Change Act requires the government to set legally-binding ‘carbon budgets’ to act as stepping stones towards the 2050 target. All six carbon budgets have been put into law and run up to 2037. The UK is currently in the fourth carbon budget period (2023 to 2027)^{[171],[172],[173]}.

8.6.4 The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019^[174] received Royal Assent on 31 October 2019. The Act amends the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 setting targets to reduce Scotland’s emissions of all greenhouse gases to net-zero by 2045 at the latest, with interim targets for reductions of at least 56% by 2020, 75% by 2030, 90% by 2040^[175]. This act was updated in November 2024 and became the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024, in which a framework for carbon budgeting was presented^[176]. An update to Scotland’s 2018-2032 Climate Change Plan was published in 2020^[177], which reflects the increased ambition of the new targets for Scotland. Achievement of these targets will require the expansion of renewable energy in Scotland, of which offshore wind is likely to form a significant contribution.

8.6.5 The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 specifies a duty for Ministers and the public sector to manage and progress actions within the marine environment in a way “best calculated to mitigate, and adapt to, climate change so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of that function”^[178]. Scotland’s National Marine Plan^[179] considers climate change in terms of how actions undertaken within the plan can help to mitigate GHG emissions, in addition to how these actions also need to be adapted to take into account the effects of climate change. The plan also stipulates that the development and use of the marine environment should not have a significant impact on the national status of PMFs, several of which are known for their role in carbon sequestration.

8.6.6 NPF4 contains a policy to tackle the climate and nature crisis (Policy 1) “To encourage, promote and facilitate development that addresses the global climate emergency and nature crisis”^[180].

8.6.7 Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024^[181], is a five year programme to prepare Scotland for the challenges it will face as the climate continues to change. One of the outcomes of the programme is that the coastal and marine environment is valued, enjoyed, protected, and enhanced, and has increased resilience to climate change.

8.6.8 The Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 has been in development since 2022 and was published in 2024 and sets out the approach to adapt to the challenges of climate change across the next five years^[182]. Key priorities of the plan include building resilient regional partnerships, improving flood warnings for businesses, encouraging behavioural changes to help the community cope with availability challenges, and distribute agricultural funding on condition of implementing climate adaption.

8.6.9 The UK hosted the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow between 31 October and 13 November 2021^[183]. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The outcomes achieved are outlined in the COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact^[184].

8.6.10 The 29^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) was held from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan^[185], during which the UK announced its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution emissions reduction target of at least 81% below 1990 levels, in line with the Climate Change Committee’s advice. Other key outcomes included the agreement to reach a climate finance goal of at least $300 billion per year from the developed world by 2035, and that progress towards mitigation and adaption was limited^[186].

8.6.11 The Blue Carbon Action Plan for Scotland is being developed with the Scottish Blue Carbon Forum Steering Committee for the Scottish Government to identify gaps in the scientific understanding of blue carbon habitats including their vulnerability to climate change and human activity. The action plan also seeks to identify actions to improve the management, protection, restoration and enhancement of these habitats^[187].

8.7 Cultural Heritage

8.7.1 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage obligates signatories to take steps to preserve their underwater heritage both within territorial waters and as well as throughout their Exclusive Economic Zone^[188]. Despite the UK not being a signatory, the Annex to the 2001 Convention – ‘Rules Concerning Activities Directed at the Underwater Cultural Heritage’ provides an accepted model of ‘best practice’ for underwater archaeology^[189].

8.7.2 The Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee Code of Practice for Seabed Developers is a voluntary code of practice^[190]. It provides a framework that seabed developers can follow to ensure their activities are sympathetic to archaeological resources.

8.7.3 The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 included an article on the establishment of historic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard a wide range of heritage assets at the coast edge, on the foreshore, and out to sea, including the remains of ships and aircraft lost at sea; harbours, lighthouses, and other structures relating to transport and trade by sea; and the remains of human settlements at the coastal fringe. They extend and replace the protection previously afforded to underwater heritage by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973^[191].

8.7.4 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 provides for the protection of archaeological heritage, including the scheduling of ‘monuments’^[192]. The Act is primarily intended for terrestrial locations but includes provision to designate submarine sites. The 1979 Act was modified by the Historic Environment (Amendment) Scotland Act 2011^[193].

8.7.5 Our Past, Our Future – The Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland, published in 2023, lays out a 5 year strategy for Scotland’s historic environment^[194]. The strategy sets out a national mission to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland’s historic environment, for people and communities now and into the future.

8.7.6 The Historic Environment Policy for Scotland^[195] sets out an overarching framework for historic environment policy in Scotland. NPF4 also includes a policy “to protect and enhance historic environment assets and places, and to enable positive change as a catalyst for the regeneration of places”^[196].

8.8 Landscape/Seascape

8.8.1 The European Landscape Convention strives to promote landscape protection, management, and planning as well as achieve a more concerted approach to addressing landscape issues at the European scale^[197]. The Convention presents a highly inclusive definition of landscape, specifying that protection and enhancement activities should apply equally to both ‘outstanding’ as well as less remarkable or degraded landscapes. This definition encompasses natural, rural, urban, and peri-urban landscapes across land, marine, and inland water environments.

8.8.2 At a national level, the role of Scotland’s natural heritage and landscapes in informing land use planning is set out in NPF4 and specifically the Natural Places Policy (Policy 4) “to protect, restore and enhance natural assets making best use of nature-based solutions”^[198].

8.8.3 NatureScot’s Landscape Policy Framework strives to ‘safeguard and enhance the distinct identity, the diverse character, and the special qualities of Scotland’s landscapes as a whole’^[199]. NPF4 gives significant protection to wild land areas^[200].

8.9 Population and Human Health

8.9.1 The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045^[201] sets out the ambitions for Scotland to be nature positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045. To deliver these ambitions, six objectives have been created, including the objective to ‘accelerate restoration and regeneration’. In doing so, the vision is that regenerated biodiversity will drive a sustainable economy and support thriving communities where people will play their part in the stewardship of nature for future generations^[202].

8.9.2 Scotland’s NPF4 also highlights the importance of access to the environment for the population’s health. It details that aspects such as Scotland’s outstanding environment are national assets which support health and wellbeing, and those with less access to the natural environment may be at a disadvantage. The NPF4 has six overarching principles, one being ‘Local Living’ which seeks to support local liveability and improve community health and wellbeing by ensuring the population can easily access greenspace amongst other services^[203].

8.9.3 The National Islands Plan^[204] provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for island communities. The plan sets out 13 Strategic Objectives which are considered critical over the next five years to improve the quality of life for island communities. Strategic Objective 7 is to improve and promote health, social care and wellbeing.

8.9.4 The importance of access to nature for mental health and wellbeing is being increasingly recognised as part of the healthcare system in Scotland through social prescribing. The term ‘social prescribing’ is used to describe a variety of approaches where individuals are linked to resources and services within local communities with the aim of improving mental and physical health and wellbeing. An example of social prescribing is Green Health Partnerships, led by NatureScot which aim to highlight nature as a resource for health and wellbeing, and to develop green health services which support people to be more active more often outdoors in their communities^[205].

8.9.5 Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 recognises the benefits of both natural capital and ecosystem services^[206]. It is outlined that many benefits cannot be easily defined in monetary terms but sustain the well-being of culture, society and individuals including physical and mental wellbeing. Beyond the provisioning, regulating and supporting services that the sea provide such as food, water cycling and storm protection, the marine assessment further recognises its cultural services for human health. It outlines that living close to the coast makes it more likely that we will achieve recommended levels of physical activity, which also improves mental health. It has been shown that greatest feelings of happiness are found during time spent in marine and coastal areas. As such, the assessment details that there needs to be greater consideration of how people interact with the marine environment and what they value about it, which has implications for policy development.

8.10 Material Assets

8.10.1 Recognising potential interactions of restoration projects with coastal infrastructure, consideration has been given here to policies regarding coastal protection material assets.

8.10.2 The Coast Protection Act (1949) details that coastal protection in Scotland is at the discretion of the landowner, but formal coast protection schemes are controlled by Scottish Ministers and Coast Protection Authorities (CPAs). Local Authorities have power, but no obligation, to protect the land and can fund coastal protection work through grants from the Scottish Government ^[207].

8.10.3 Flooding is also the responsibility of the property owner. SEPA published the second National Flood Risk Assessment in 2018. Flood risk management strategies and local plans, prepared under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 ensure that long-term proactive planning and investment decisions protect the areas at greatest risk of flooding. It is estimated that over 28,000 properties are at coastal flood risk^[208].

8.10.4 Redundant infrastructure, in the context of the WFD, refers to existing infrastructure that is no longer used for its intended purpose. This can impact water quality or ecological status as measured by the WFD. These redundant components can cause pollution or interfere with natural hydrological processes. This is an important consideration for water bodies which are heavily modified water bodies (HMWBs) and not classified as ‘Good Ecological Potential’.

8.10.5 Under the WFD, RBMPs must be produced every six years which set the status of waterbodies and environmental objectives required for all waterbodies to reach ‘good’ status by 2027^[209]. It has been recognised that redundant infrastructure can negatively impact water quality, and removing redundant structures and modifications has been a priority for waterbodies to reach this improved status. Within the RBMP for Scotland, it is noted that SEPA will generally work with owners of redundant weirs and impoundments through the Water Environment Fund to remove the structure or otherwise create mechanisms to allow fish passage^[210].