Supporting Scotland's Transition - Land Use and Agriculture: Technical Supporting Document

Section 2 - The 2045 long term just transition outcomes

In its response to the recommendations of the first Just Transition Commission’s report ‘A National Mission for a Fairer, Greener Scotland’, the Scottish Government proposed a National Just Transition Planning Framework, with an expectation that all planning activities, (whether that is for a sector, region or organisation), contribute to achieving a set of National Just Transition Outcomes:

1. Citizens, communities and place: empowering and invigorating communities and strengthening local economies

2. Jobs, skills and education: equipping people with the skills, education and retraining required; providing access to green, fair and high-value work

3. Fair distribution of costs and benefits: address existing economic and social inequality by sharing the benefits of climate action widely, while ensuring that the costs are distributed on the basis of ability to pay

4. Business and economy: supporting a strong, dynamic and productive economy, making Scotland a great place to do business

5. Adaptation and resilience: identifying risks and planning for long-term resilience against climate risks

6. Environmental protection and restoration: commit to act within our planetary boundaries while protecting and restoring our natural environment

7. Decarbonisation and efficiencies: contribute to resource efficient and sustainable economic approaches that actively encourage decarbonisation, support low-carbon investment and infrastructure, and avoid carbon 'lock-in'

8. Further equality and human rights implementation and preventing new inequalities from arising: for example, addressing fuel poverty and child poverty; furthering wider equality and human rights across protected characteristics

From these eight National Just Transition Outcomes, four core themes have been identified that the Just Transition Plans for all sectors can work towards. Under each of these core themes we have developed a set of draft long-term outcomes that are focussed on the land use and agriculture sector, (as outlined in Section 2 of the consultation document, ‘The long term future’). It is these 16 sectoral outcomes for land use and agriculture that we would like you to consider for this consultation.

Core JT theme: Jobs, skills and economy

(JT national outcomes 2 & 4) - Scotland has a thriving net zero economy, enabling businesses to set up and grow sustainably. People are equipped with the skills and opportunities to access good, green jobs in a net zero economy. This economy delivers a liveable world for people and planet, ensuring a thriving, biodiverse environment and fair work and full lives for people.

Land use and agriculture draft sectoral outcomes for Jobs, Skills and Economy

Scotland’s food production sector is productive and sustainable. Changes have been well managed, and it continues to play a big part towards Scotland’s economy, our Good Food Nation ambitions and Scotland’s global reputation.

Land use and agriculture is open and accessible to all, and more local employment has benefited rural Scotland.

Barriers to the rural economy, including affordable accommodation, transport, digital infrastructure, and skills have been addressed.

Land use, agriculture and related areas provide good green sustainable jobs and people have access to training, knowledge and advice, allowing them and our natural environment to prosper.

Scotland’s sustainable tourism and natural capital sector is thriving, bringing investment and direct benefits to local communities.

Core JT theme: Environment and Adaptation

(JT national outcomes 5 & 6) - Our environment must meet the needs of those living in and depending on it – this includes both our natural and built environment. Our spaces must be resilient to the impacts of climate change and restore our biodiversity. Spaces must provide those living or dependent on them with everything they need to live full and healthy lives as they support the transition.

Land use and agriculture draft sectoral outcomes for Environment and Adaptation

There is support for people to integrate nature-based solutions into their businesses, such as increased forest, woodland and hedgerow cover, peatland restoration, nature networks, and coastal ecosystem enhancements.

Agriculture is sustainable and regenerative and contributes to our circular economy by reducing waste and pollution.

Natural capital and nature-based solutions projects not only help meet climate change and biodiversity targets but deliver value and opportunities for local communities.

Core JT theme: Communities and Place

(JT national outcomes 1 & 7) - There should be accessible places for people to grow, investing in their environment and economy. Communities should be empowered to reach net zero in a way that meets their needs and builds on their unique local strengths in an equitable fashion as part of a just transition.

Land use and agriculture draft sectoral outcomes for Communities and Place

Rural communities are revitalised through the growth of the green economy, including in food production, nature-based solutions and increased sustainable tourism.

Rural communities have been recognised, valued and part of the transition, and have increased levels of participation in shaping how local resources and land are used.

Rural communities can access high quality, affordable and accessible public services and facilities that positively enhance people’s lives.

Community-led land management, community ownership and wealth-building ensures that wealth generated by Scotland’s natural assets is retained and redirected back into local communities.

The transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture has benefited our farmers, crofters, land managers and wider rural communities and supported the delivery of our Good Food Nation ambitions and Local Food strategies.

Core JT theme: People and Equity

(JT national outcomes 3 & 8) - People are able to enjoy basic rights, freedoms and quality of life and have access to necessities such as heat, food, housing, employment, childcare, and wider wellbeing. They are healthier, happier, and treated with respect and have access to full, varied opportunities that add value to their lives. Opportunities, wealth, and power are spread more equally; costs primarily fall to those who can bear them.

Land use and agriculture draft sectoral outcomes for People and Equity

Farmers and crofters are supported throughout the transition to net zero. They are empowered to make decisions about their future, with their wellbeing and mental health supported throughout.

The transition to net zero supports efforts to reduce rural poverty and inequality, including inequalities associated with land ownership and governance.

Improved health and wellbeing through access to good quality green and blue spaces and good quality, affordable, healthy, sustainably sourced food.