Making the Case for Nature: insights from Scotland's Natural Capital analyses
This report is an analytical review consolidating Scotland's Natural Capital evidence base. Synthesises over a decade of analyses to distil key insights to help inform better decision-making across government, business, and society.
Summary of evidence sources
This table provides a brief description of key Scottish evidence and policy sources drawn on for this report.
The Environment Strategy for Scotland
The Environment Strategy for Scotland is the overarching framework for Scotland’s environment and climate policies.
The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy
The study determines the industrial sectors in Scotland that rely on high-quality natural capital in Scotland and quantifies the economic value of these nature-dependent sectors at a national and regional level.
National Performance Framework
The National Performance Framework (NPF) is Scotland’s wellbeing framework and sets the vision for the kind of Scotland we all want to live in. This framework is currently on pause and under review.
Natural Capital Accounts
Natural Capital Accounts provide an assessment of Scotland's natural assets and the benefits they offer to society and the economy. The accounts provide monetary estimates that reflect the value of nature in Scotland. The most recent data is for 2022.
Natural Capital Asset Index
The index looks at the ability of ecosystems to provide benefits over time, which may change as a result of condition and extent of different habitat types. The 2025 update includes results from 2000 up to 2022.
Natural Capital Economics Benefits Assessment
Economic analysis that quantifies the likely economic impacts, measured as output and jobs created, from hypothetical cross-sector regional and national programmes of natural capital investment in Scotland.
Natural Capital Market Framework
The framework has been developed by the Scottish Government to encourage sustainable private investment to support Scotland in achieving its legal targets for net zero and to develop a climate-resilient economy that benefits local communities.
National Strategy for Economic Transformation
A strategy document that sets out the actions to deliver economic growth in the next 10 years (from 2022), with the vision to create a wellbeing economy.
Recognising the Importance of Scotland’s Natural Capital
This report provides an overview of measures of natural capital and the importance of natural capital to Scotland’s economy and wellbeing using the Natural Capital Accounts and Natural Capital Asset Index.
Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045
The Strategy sets out our clear ambition for Scotland to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045.
State of Nature Scotland Report
The report is a review of how nature in Scotland is faring and provides evidence of the twin climate and biodiversity crises.
Strategic Research Programme (SRP) on Natural Resources
The vision for the Strategic Research Programme 2022 to 2027 is: “to support research that is relevant, respected and responsive to Scotland’s environment, communities, its people and to the rural economy”. Key research reports include:
- Climate Change Impacts on Scottish Natural Capital.
- Galvanising Change via Natural Capital.
- Synthesis of Natural Capital and Valuation Outcomes.
The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Natural Environment, Cambridge Econometrics (2008)
The report provides analysis for the first time on the extent to which sustainable use of Scotland’s natural environment supports Scotland’s economy.
Contact
Email: Georgia-Lee.Smith@gov.scot