Marine and coastal restoration plan: equality impact assessment

Key Findings

Age

Promoting good relations among and between different age groups.

There is some indication based on anecdotal reports from restoration groups that supporting community involvement in restoration can create opportunities for people of different age groups to collaborate and engage in restoration activity together, which could promote good relations among and between different age groups. Adults over 65 are the least likely age group to visit the outdoors for recreation^[3], however this is also an age group that is likely to be retired and may participate in volunteer activities. As such accelerating restoration might increase opportunities to access the marine environment and collaborate with other age groups as part of volunteering in restoration projects.

Disability

There are around 16.8 million people living with disabilities in the UK, including 12% of children, 25% or working age adults, and 45% of pension age adults^[4]. Adults with a long-term illness or disability are less likely to visit the outdoors than those without long-term illness or disability^[5].

Advancing equality of opportunity

There are barriers to restoration activities, particularly when taking place in intertidal or subtidal areas, that may prevent disabled people from participating in restoration. These barriers may include lack of accessibility, lack of confidence in natural environments, sensory or executive function challenges, or lack of representation ^[6]. There is a risk that feelings of exclusion are exacerbated if an assumption prevails that “restoration is not for disabled people”. However, there are multiple opportunities for disabled people to play a key role in restoration. As the plan aims to accelerate restoration there is an opportunity to encourage projects to consider how to involve and centre disabled people.

Promoting good relations among and between disabled and non-disabled people

Participating in restoration activity as part of a mixed-abilities group can promote good relations, but care must be taken to ensure opportunities to participate are made accessible.

Sex

We did not find evidence to indicate that the policies in the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan would impact differently on men and women.

Pregnancy and Maternity

We did not find evidence that the policies in the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan would impact on people on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity.

Gender reassignment

We did not find evidence that the policies in the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan would impact on trans people. However, there may be scope for opportunities to take part in restoration activities together that could promote good relations between trans and cisgender people.

Sexual orientation

We did not find evidence that the policies in the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan would impact on sexual orientation. However, there may be scope for opportunities to take part in restoration activities together could promote good relations between LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual people.

Race

‘Environment professionals’ are the least racially diverse professions in the UK, with just 4.81% identifying as Black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups, compared to 12.64% across all UK professions^[7]. The Race Report 2024 highlighted that across 159 responding organisation only 4.5% of staff identify as people of colour and racially/ethnically minoritised groups^[8]. Responses to our consultation highlighted that the conservation/environment sector is predominantly white, with little representation from other ethnic groups. There is an inequality in access to blue spaces/the coast for people of colour, known barriers include: geographical - minority ethnic groups are more likely to live in urban areas in Scotland^[9]; financial; visibility and representation; a sense of belonging; cultural norms and/or societal judgement^[10].

Advancing equality of opportunity

As the aim of the plan is to accelerate restoration, this may provide increased opportunities to work and volunteer in the sector, and provides an opportunity for projects to increase diversity. Conversely, there is a risk that this issue is further exacerbated if there are no efforts to increase diversity in the sector. Organisations can promote diversity by utilising publicly available resources aimed at the environmental and voluntary sector, for example the Wildlife and Countryside LINK’s Route map towards greater ethnic diversity^[11], The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) page on equity, diversity and inclusion in volunteering^[12], and Make Your Mark’s Inclusion resources and Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit^[13],[14].

Promoting good race relations

Given that the plan aims to increase restoration activity in Scotland, there will be increased opportunities to get involved in restoration. This could promote good relations when participants in restoration activity are from racially diverse backgrounds. However, this will rely on projects being seen as places that are welcoming and open to people from all backgrounds.

Religion or belief

We did not find evidence that the policies in the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan would impact on religion or belief. However, there may be scope for opportunities to take part in restoration activities together that could promote good relations between people with differing religions or beliefs.