Publication - Impact assessment

Our Scotland, Our Future: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature - CRWIA

Published: 30 September 2026
From: Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, +3 more … Director of Energy and Climate Change, Director of Environment and Forestry, Director-General Net Zero
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate, +1 more … Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change
ISBN: 9781807755713

Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature

2. With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (Annex 1), which aspects of the proposal are relevant to/impact upon children’s rights?

The Public Engagement Strategy (PES) for Climate and Nature 2026-2031 contains three strategic objectives (‘Understand’, ‘Motivate’ and ‘Voice’) and nine outcomes listed below. These aspects of the proposal are relevant to children's rights because they seek to improve children's understanding of climate change and nature loss, support their participation in climate and nature action, and ensure that their views are heard in decisions that affect their future.

The PES explicitly recognises that children and young people will be disproportionately affected by climate change and nature loss, and highlights the importance of climate education, participation and youth voice.

The objective of children 'understanding' climate change and nature loss and how it affects Scotland impacts their education. As a unique group, children are most likely to encounter information on climate change in education settings. This is relevant to a child’s right to education and the goals of education (Article 28 and 29). Engagement activities will also help children understand climate change and nature loss and their implications for children's rights (Article 42).

Engagement will occur during a child’s time at school as well as in the community. With an understanding of climate change a child will be more able to discern climate mis and dis information supporting their right to access to information from the media (Article 17).

How we engage with children is important as best methods for this differ from the adult population. For instance, hands-on interactive workshops are enjoyable and memorable for children and can have a positive impact on their right to leisure, play and culture (Article 31).

The PES also looks to engage with groups who are typically less involved in climate discourse. This will promote non-discrimination (Article 2) as we look to involve all children. It is also a requirement of our grant recipients to demonstrate how children with a disability will be considered and included so that engagement activities are accessible (Article 23).

Along with understanding climate change the PES sets out that children will also feel ‘motivation’ to act on climate change. Positive outcomes of climate action, for example active travel, will have a positive outcome on the life, survival and development of the child (Article 6) and improvements in health outcomes (Article 24). The PES is not just about how the Scottish Government sets out to inspire motivation but how people within communities can come together to take collective action and learn from each other, promoting a child’s right to freedom of association (Article 15).

The PES is also not just about children understanding and feeling motivated but having a voice in the decisions being made about climate change and nature loss. By fostering the skills to do this and creating opportunities for children to enter discussions which impact them respects their views (Article 12) and their right to freedom of expression (Article 13).

Across all three objectives, the Strategy is guided by the principle that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration (Article 3). The commitment to provide climate education, promote participation in decision-making, and create opportunities for children to take climate and nature action also supports the implementation of children's rights in practice (Article 4).

By embedding children's rights throughout the design and delivery of the Strategy, the PES helps ensure that children are not only informed and engaged, but that their rights are actively considered and realised.

Outcomes of the PES and the Articles they positively impact are listed below.

(1.1) The Challenge: People understand the causes and consequences of the twin crises and the need for ambitious action.

Article 17 (access to information from the media)

Article 23 (children with a disability)

Article 24 (health and health services)

Article 28 (education)