Measuring the impacts of Scotland's agricultural support – a national level monitoring framework

Annex: Alignment with other Scottish Government monitoring frameworks

This annex cites direct crossover of indicators, and alternative indicators, from other Scottish Government monitoring plans to provide context for this framework. Direct indicator crossover, as well as theme alignment, has been identified and are listed under their respective plans.

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and its 2024-30 Delivery Plan aim to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and support nature-positive farming as a key mechanism for biodiversity recovery. This framework contributes to the SBS objectives through both direct indicators and wider alignment with outcomes.

Direct indicator crossovers

• Farmland bird populations
• Grassland butterfly populations

Indirect indicator alignments

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Nature-positive farming

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area under organic management

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Nature-positive farming

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under AECS contracts

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Nature-positive farming

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under EFAs

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Freshwater ecosystem condition

Relevant RSP Indicator

Condition of the water environment

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Freshwater ecosystem pressures

Relevant RSP Indicator

Proportion of water bodies impacted by diffuse pollution

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Air pollution pressures affecting biodiversity

Relevant RSP Indicator

Ammonia emissions

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Air pollution pressures affecting biodiversity

Relevant RSP Indicator

Particulate matter emissions

Ecosystem resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Living roots coverage on agricultural land

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Theme

Nature and climate resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Percentage of holdings implementing flood/drought protection measures

Good Food Nation Monitoring Plan

The Good Food Nation Monitoring Framework uses 51 high-level indicators to assess progress towards Scotland's food system outcomes, including environmental sustainability, food production, public health and community wellbeing.

Direct indicator crossovers

No direct indicator matches identified.

Indirect indicator alignments

Good Food Nation Theme

Domestic food production

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area used to grow vegetables and fruit for human consumption

Good Food Nation Theme

Food system resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total calories produced from agricultural land

Good Food Nation Theme

Food availability

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total calories produced for human consumption from agricultural land

Good Food Nation Theme

Agricultural productivity

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total annual value of agricultural production

Good Food Nation Theme

Farm viability

Relevant RSP Indicator

Agricultural household income

Good Food Nation Theme

Farm viability

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total annual value of agricultural support

Good Food Nation Theme

Animal welfare

Relevant RSP Indicator

Livestock health

Good Food Nation Theme

Animal welfare

Relevant RSP Indicator

Welfare incident rates

Good Food Nation Theme

Fair work and workforce outcomes

Relevant RSP Indicator

Diversity of agricultural workforce

Good Food Nation Theme

Fair work and workforce outcomes

Relevant RSP Indicator

Number of inspected agricultural businesses paying minimum agricultural wage

Good Food Nation Theme

Skills and resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Agricultural workers undertaking Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Good Food Nation Theme

Skills and resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Education levels

Scottish National Adaptation Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

SNAP3 provides Scotland's national monitoring framework for climate adaptation and resilience. It includes indicators relating to nature-based solutions, flood management, climate resilience and adaptation actions.

Direct indicator crossovers

No direct indicator matches identified.

Indirect indicator alignments

SNAP3 Theme

Agricultural adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Use of highly efficient irrigation methods on farms

SNAP3 Theme

Agricultural adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Percentage of holdings implementing flood/drought protection measures

SNAP3 Theme

Nature-based adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under AECS contracts

SNAP3 Theme

Nature-based adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under Ecological Focus Areas

SNAP3 Theme

Nature-based adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area under organic management

SNAP3 Theme

Ecosystem resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Living roots coverage on agricultural land

SNAP3 Theme

Flood resilience and catchment function

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area of peatland restored on agricultural land

SNAP3 Theme

Freshwater resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Condition of the water environment

SNAP3 Theme

Historic environment adaptation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Percentage of Scheduled Monuments on agricultural land that are in an optimal or satisfactory condition

SNAP3 Theme

Community resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Awareness of mental health and wellbeing services available

SNAP3 Theme

Community resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Reliability of internet

Climate Change Plan Monitoring Report

The fifth annual monitoring progress report on the Climate Change Plan update tracks progress towards emissions reduction outcomes in agriculture and land use. The Rural Support Plan framework directly adopts several indicators already used within Climate Change Plan monitoring.

Direct indicator crossovers

• Woodland area on agricultural land
• Nitrogen use efficiency
• Enteric fermentation emissions
• Manure management emissions

Indirect indicator alignments

Climate Change Plan Theme

Livestock efficiency improvements

Relevant RSP Indicator

Livestock health

Climate Change Plan Theme

Livestock efficiency improvements

Relevant RSP Indicator

Welfare incident rates

Climate Change Plan Theme

Nitrogen reduction practices

Relevant RSP Indicator

Living roots coverage on agricultural land

Climate Change Plan Theme

Nitrogen reduction practices

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area under organic land management

Climate Change Plan Theme

Slurry management pathways

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under AECS contracts

Climate Change Plan Theme

Knowledge exchange for mitigation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Number of recipients advised by the Farm Advisory Service

Climate Change Plan Theme

Knowledge exchange for mitigation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Number of recipients advised by other AKIS services

Climate Change Plan Theme

Farm climate resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Use of highly efficient irrigation methods on farms

Climate Change Plan Theme

Farm climate resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Percentage of holdings implementing flood/drought protection measures

Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan

The Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan will look to set out how we are working towards achieving Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions in a fair and just way for people and communities working in or with our land-based industries. Relevant indicators have been identified in the Plan’s consultation but are not yet finalised.

Indirect indicator alignments

Just Transition Theme

Workforce capability

Relevant RSP Indicator

Education levels

Just Transition Theme

Workforce capability

Relevant RSP Indicator

Agricultural workers undertaking Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Just Transition Theme

Knowledge and innovation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Number of recipients advised by the Farm Advisory Service

Just Transition Theme

Knowledge and innovation

Relevant RSP Indicator

Number of recipients advised by other AKIS services

Just Transition Theme

Workforce inclusion

Relevant RSP Indicator

Diversity of agricultural workforce

Just Transition Theme

Economic resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Agricultural household income

Just Transition Theme

Economic resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total annual value of agricultural production

Just Transition Theme

Business resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Total annual value of support to agricultural businesses

Just Transition Theme

Community wellbeing

Relevant RSP Indicator

Awareness of mental health and wellbeing services available

Just Transition Theme

Digital inclusion

Relevant RSP Indicator

Reliability of internet

Just Transition Theme

Digital inclusion

Relevant RSP Indicator

Satisfaction with web application processes

Environment Strategy Initial Monitoring Framework

This Environment Strategy Initial Monitoring Framework identifies an initial set of indicators for reporting progress on the Environment Strategy.

Direct indicator crossovers

• Farmland bird populations
• Grassland butterfly populations
• Woodland area on agricultural land
• Condition of the water environment
• Land area of peatland restored
• Ammonia emissions

Indirect indicator alignments

Environment Strategy Theme

Sustainable land management

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land area under organic management

Environment Strategy Theme

Sustainable land management

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under AECS contracts

Environment Strategy Theme

Sustainable land management

Relevant RSP Indicator

Land managed under Ecological Focus Areas

Environment Strategy Theme

Pollution reduction

Relevant RSP Indicator

Particulate matter emissions

Environment Strategy Theme

Freshwater quality pressures

Relevant RSP Indicator

Proportion of water bodies impacted by rural diffuse pollution

Environment Strategy Theme

Soil health

Relevant RSP Indicator

Living roots coverage on agricultural land

Environment Strategy Theme

Climate resilience

Relevant RSP Indicator

Percentage of holdings implementing flood/drought protection measures

Land Use Strategy

Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy was published in March 2026. The document sets out the new strategic direction, shared outcomes and objectives. Within 12 months of publication of this strategic document, Scottish Government will:

• Publish a delivery plan based on key areas identified through consultation, mapping and data, finance, policy incentives, communication, skills and education, and regional/local approaches to delivery.
• Publish a refreshed set of principles to support the embedding of integrated and resilient land use across all relevant areas.

To understand progress toward the long-term vision, it is essential to monitor and evaluate the cumulative impacts and benefits of land use decisions and interventions. A Monitoring and Evaluating Framework for integrated and resilient land use is under development, to be adopted by the publication of Scotland’s 5th Land Use Strategy.