Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

Recommendations and Conclusion

The EQIA has supported the development of a Scottish Government Bill which will put in place measures to support the Scottish Government to meet its objectives in restoring biodiversity and tackling climate change.

Based on an absence of concerns raised throughout the policy development process, public consultations and the findings of the EQIA, it is considered that the policies set out in the Bill are neither directly nor indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010.

However, while it is not anticipated that the new measures themselves will directly impact on individuals with protected characteristics, the impact assessment process has flagged that there is the potential that secondary legislation made under the powers in the Bill, may have an impact on individuals or groups with protected characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that the development of any secondary legislation be subject to separate EQIAs to ensure that any potential impacts are considered when the respective legislation is being developed.

The new measures do not seek to foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. However, any plans, projects, strategies or policies which result from the new measures will seek to foster good relationships (as appropriate).