Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill - target topics: Scientific Advisory Committee sub-group advice

Natural Environment Bill target topics

The NatureScot SAC Biodiversity Monitoring sub-group met on 19^th September to quality assure the output from the Scottish Biodiversity PAG in developing Bill target topics.

The sub-group was reassured the process in determining the target topics undertaken was sound and comprehensive. It appreciated the clear presentation from Graeme Reid on the Bill development process, noting the timeline for work will vary depending on Parliamentary matters.

The sub-group was asked to advise on: Will this selection of target topics allow us to demonstrate we have halted biodiversity decline by 2030, and restored and regenerated it by 2045, and drive the necessary action to do so?

In doing so the sub-group exercised its judgement on the scientific soundness of the processes, rationale and wider considerations underlying the PAG paper.

Overall, the sub-group was supportive of the paper. It noted comments under each of the target topics:

1. Ecosystem integrity/ health

Title could be expressed as ecosystem integrity and health. Could reorder to make it clear that target 1 is the culmination of 2 and 3. Should ensure that clear definitions are flagged, since there exist a variety of ecosystem integrity/ health definitions.

2. Habitat condition and extent

Refer to EUNIS habitats. Include all habitats, not just the ‘protected’ ones and make this clearer in title.

3. Threatened species status

Refer to all species, not just threatened species. Consider reference to indicator or keynote species. Consider status of species in terms of international importance (of assemblages).

4. Civil society understanding. Benefitting from and contributing to nature

Expand the description of the target, and refer specifically to education and skills gaps. Refer to nature-based solutions, and to businesses.

5. Investment in nature

Needs to be clear on what is being invested in. Avoid reference to input (money spent) but instead to impact and outcome of greater investment. This target could be listed last as the culmination of the other six. Refer to investing in community benefits from nature. The pound symbol is too simplistic, and suggestions was that it should be embellished to include people; investing in people and communities important. The nuance of investment has changed and this target topic should reflect that but also be tight enough to be meaningful

6. Enhancing environmental conditions for nature

Title ambiguous, so add: ‘: reduce drivers of biodiversity loss’. Make clear this refers to IPBES drivers (direct and indirect).

7. Positive outcomes for biodiversity in public sector and government policy

Why just public bodies covered here; broaden to business and communities etc. ‘Mainstreaming’ might be appropriate in the title, or descriptor. There should be reference to cross-compliance, positive effects of biodiversity (off stetting), more of a systems thinking. Very important to consider sustainable production and consumption of nature’s products – food, timber, fabrics etc. Consideration to off-shoring important (also for targets 4 and 5). the sub group considered whether there Should be reference to Scotland’s international role in halting the loss of biodiversity?

Three general points for noting: a) there should not be widening inequalities, noting importance of diversity and consideration of Just Transition; b) implementing the targets should not involve “off-shoring” Scotland’s biodiversity impacts; and c) with regard to the timeframes for targets, and their development in the monitoring framework, the issue of short baselines against a pattern of historic loss needs fundamental consideration.