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

Executive summary

This Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) considers the potential impacts of Our Scotland, Our Future: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature on people who share protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. The Strategy aims to support greater public understanding of the nature and climate twin crises, increase motivation to take action and ensure that people across Scotland have opportunities to participate in climate and nature decision-making. The EQIA considered the potential impacts of the strategy in relation to age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race and religion or belief.

The assessment was informed by a range of sources, including official statistics and academic literature. More than 150 external organisations were invited to participate in workshops which helped shape the strategy’s approach. The development of the strategy was also informed by engagement with external stakeholders and Scottish Government policy colleagues.

The EQIA identified potential positive impacts across protected characteristics groups, largely as a result of the strategy’s focus on inclusive engagement, participation in decision-making, audience-centred and place-based approaches, and the use of trusted messengers. Positive impacts were identified in relation to advancing equality of opportunity across all protected characteristics. No evidence was identified to suggest that the strategy would result in direct or indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

The Scottish Government recognises that people may experience intersecting inequalities and barriers to participation. While the overarching nature of the strategy limits the extent to which specific impacts can be identified at this stage, the strategy's commitment to inclusive, place-based and people-centred engagement is intended to support participation from a diverse range of communities and experiences. A number of evidence gaps were identified, particularly in relation to disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race and religion or belief. However, no significant negative impacts were identified.

To help ensure that positive impacts are realised in practice, the accompanying Delivery Plan will be developed in collaboration with delivery partners and trusted messengers, and delivery activity will seek to embed inclusive engagement approaches, including consideration of accessibility, barriers to participation and the representation of seldom-heard groups. Equality considerations will continue to be incorporated into future delivery, monitoring and evaluation arrangements.