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

The Scope of the EQIA

9. This EQIA considered the impact of the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Public Engagement Strategy on people with one or more protected characteristics. Specifically, it considered the potential impacts of the PES on the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010:

• Age
• Disability (including both physical and mental impairments)
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Please note that marriage and civil partnership was not taken into consideration, as the PES does not exist in an employment context.

10. In line with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), as set out in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010^[4], this EQIA considered the ways in which the PES can:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and any other conduct prohibited by the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.
• Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

11. Evidence of the potential impact of the strategy on those with protected characteristics was gathered through ready available sources including: published data, academic literature and engagement feedback.

12. The development of this strategy was informed by engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders. A series of workshops were held to test the proposed approach and to seek feedback on the draft Theory of Change (ToC). More than 150 stakeholder organisations were invited to participate, bringing together representatives from across Scotland’s climate, community, public, third, creative and equality sectors. Feedback from stakeholders showed broad support for the strategic direction and outcomes set out in the strategy, while helping to strengthen the ToC, refine priorities and ensure that the strategy reflects the needs, experiences and expertise of those working with communities across Scotland.

13. Alongside external engagement, a range of relevant policy teams from across the Scottish Government contributed to the development of the strategy. This provided an opportunity to gather views on the proposed approach, identify areas of shared interest and activity, and ensure alignment with related policies and programmes. Feedback from policy colleagues helped to strengthen the strategy, promote a coordinated approach to delivery, and ensure that public engagement supports wider Scottish Government objectives on climate change, communities and a just transition.