Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: external engagement sessions - summary report

2. External Sessions

2.1 Attendance

The Scottish Government held three sessions with external colleagues, including combined attendance from 19 different Scottish councils and nine public body agencies. The total attendance over the three sessions was 213.

2.2 Engagement

Communication was issued externally via email, with a link to the webinar registration page, to highlight the three different session dates and times;

• Tuesday 1 July, 12:00-12:30
• Monday 7 July, 14:00-14:30
• Thursday 17 July, 10:00-10:30

The questionnaire generated 82 responses:

• 84% (69) of participants responding ‘yes’ to having heard of statutory nature restoration targets.
• 97% (80) of participants responded ‘yes’ to having heard of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.

Attendees’ interest in statutory nature restoration targets are:

• 89% (73) of participants said targets will affect the work they do, whereas
• 30% (25) were interested in knowing more about other policy areas.
• 22% (18) attended for general learning and development, meanwhile
• 12% (10) because they work with stakeholders who are interested.
• 70% (57) of participants who filled out the questionnaire signed up to the mailing list.

Respondents were asked what they hoped to learn from today’s session. Some responses included: progress updates, timescales, more information on implementation and the impact to their organisation/work.

Respondents were also asked if they have any questions or comments. The following questions were received:

• Who will be tasked with delivering statutory targets, how will progress be monitored, will resource be made available?
• How does this relate to the SBS outcomes

2.3 Summary/themes of questions asked during the session

At the end of the presentation, the floor was opened for a question and answer section. Most questions were submitted via the chat function. Some of the questions related to;

• Ecosystem and Biodiversity monitoring, the need for indicators to include ecosystem functions and processes, and consideration of species abundance, biomass and widespread but declining species
• Alignment of soil health work with statutory nature restoration targets
• Regional and local relevance (role of local authorities and the importance of indicators sensitive to regional variation
• Use of existing indicators to reduce funding gaps
• Relationship with Global Biodiversity Framework and consideration of shifting baselines due to climate change
• Support for external organisations in developing and implementing indicators