Investing in nature: a plan to support investment in biodiversity and climate adaptation in Scotland

Levers for change

There has been a statutory requirement since 2004^[2] (known as the biodiversity duty) on public-sector bodies and office-holders, including the Scottish Ministers, to further the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions, in line with the objectives of the SBS. A wide range of Scottish Government policies and other public sector initiatives already deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity.

Good progress has already been made through, for example, the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) and our Vision for Agriculture, as well as initiatives such as the Climate Change Plan, Scottish National Adaptation Plan 3 (SNAP3), the Scottish Forestry Strategy and Peatland ACTION. Many of our public bodies have their own biodiversity strategies and policies. However, mainstreaming biodiversity more effectively so that a wider range of government policies have positive impacts and, where possible, to reduce or eliminate negative impacts, is a key aim of the SBS. A new imperative to take account of and address the collective impact of our policies on biodiversity is proposed by the introduction of statutory nature restoration targets through the Natural Environment Bill. This Strategic Framework for Biodiversity in Scotland also ensures we are keeping pace with our neighbours and well placed to deliver on our international commitments.

Alongside our policies, there is also a range of public sector funds which deliver significant levels of funding towards nature restoration and climate adaptation projects (see Annex^[3]). For example, in recent years, these have included the Peatland Action Programme, Nature Restoration Fund, Agriculture Transformation Fund, Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, Agri-environment Climate Scheme, Scottish Marine Environment Enhancement Fund, and the Water Environment Fund. The combined precise value of these funding streams to biodiversity is difficult to quantify as such funds are often associated with specific policy initiatives which do not run to a parallel timescale. Much of the work of, and funding allocated for, our environmental public bodies (NatureScot^[4], SEPA, our National Park Authorities, the Royal Botanic Gardens, for example), also contributes directly to delivering our SBS Outcomes.

In addition to public funds, it has been reported by leaders of 116 UK civil society organisations, that there was a combined expenditure of nearly £673 million on environmental-related work in 2021^[5]. The three main nature conservation categories (biodiversity and species, terrestrial ecosystems, coastal and marine ecosystems) account for 51% of all expenditure. Precise figures for third sector investment in Scotland have not been available.