Draft Environment Strategy consultation: statement
Statement on the consultation undertaken during the development of the Environment Strategy for Scotland, as required under Section 47 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.
Details of the consultation on the draft Environment Strategy
Section 47 of the Continuity Act requires Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish an environmental policy strategy, which must set out the objectives for protecting and improving the environment, policies and proposals for achieving the objectives (or a summary or indication of such policies and proposals), and arrangements for monitoring progress towards achieving the objectives.
Before publishing and in preparing the strategy, section 47 of the Continuity Act also requires Scottish Ministers to consult such persons as they consider would be likely to be affected by the proposals in the strategy or document, have appropriate expertise or experience in relation to the matters covered by the strategy or document, and other persons (if any) as they consider appropriate.
The Scottish Government published the draft Environment Strategy for consultation, which ran between 3 July and 29 September 2025. The consultation sought views on the draft Strategy’s vision and outcomes, the priorities and proposals outlined in the pathways, and on a series of related draft Impact Assessments. The consultation was available on the Scottish Government’s consultation hub, Citizen Space: Draft Environment Strategy - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space. Individuals or organisations could also submit responses by email. The Scottish Government also held four workshops for stakeholders, focusing on the environment, economy, equality, and health, as well as one follow-up meeting with Scottish Environment LINK’s Sustainable Economy Group.