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

Recommendations and Conclusion

23. The EQIA has identified a range of potentially positive impacts of the publication of the updated Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change and Nature on protected characteristics, particularly through its focus on enabling more inclusive participation in climate action and decision-making. There is no evidence that the strategy is directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010.

24. The strategy provides a high-level strategic policy framework under which delivery will be designed in accordance with the theory of change, approach and principles in the accompanying Delivery Plan. The principal risk identified through the EQIA is that engagement activities may not fully meet the needs of all people in Scotland, including those with protected characteristics. To mitigate this, the Delivery Plan will be developed in collaboration with delivery partners and trusted messengers and will seek to embed inclusive engagement approaches from the outset. This will include consideration of accessibility, barriers to participation, representation of seldom-heard groups and the use of tailored engagement methods where appropriate

25. The EQIA has informed the development of the strategy by identifying opportunities to advance equality of opportunity. The strategy’s commitment to working with a diverse range of stakeholders and communities will help support the Public Sector Equality Duty by helping to ensure that climate engagement activities are accessible, inclusive and responsive to differing needs and experiences.

26. Evidence gathered throughout this process identified some limitations in the available data across all protected characteristic groups. While no adverse impacts were identified, the limited evidence base means that ongoing monitoring will be important to understand whether the strategy is achieving its intended outcomes for these groups.

27. No significant negative impacts requiring specific mitigation measures were identified. Therefore, no significant changes to the strategy are considered necessary as a result of the assessment. It is recommended that any future policies, programmes or interventions developed under the strategy consider equality impacts and undertake further impact assessments where appropriate.

28. The EQIA will be kept under review, with any new evidence analysed as it becomes available to monitor the ongoing impact of the strategy on those with protected characteristics. Equality considerations will also be incorporated into the monitoring and evaluation of activities delivered through the Delivery Plan, enabling the Scottish Government to identify and respond to any emerging impacts over time.