Scotland’s leading environment charities have welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a vision and outcomes for an environment strategy.
They applauded the Government’s commitment to restore nature and end Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045 and have called on ministers to back up this commitment with legally binding targets for nature recovery and an action plan for delivery.
The charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK, also welcomed the announcement of a new environment watchdog to oversee compliance with environmental law, but cautioned that the new body must have real independence and power to protect Scotland’s iconic nature.
More than 30 organisations launched the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign in 2018, calling for an independent watchdog to enforce environmental protections after Brexit.
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The European Commission and Court of Justice previously played a key role in holding Government to account on the environment, on issues ranging from air pollution to protections for marine animals.
The charities also welcomed the reiteration of the Government’s commitment to embed crucial European environment principles in Scots law – another key demand of their campaign.
The charities believe the new watchdog must be independent of Government and must have sufficient resources as well as the ability to investigate complaints from the public, charities and businesses, and to impose sanctions when standards are breached. Public support is strong – a recent opinion poll in Scotland found 81% of Leave voters and 90% of Remain voters supported a new body to provide continuing environmental oversight.
Charles Dundas, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK, said today, “It’s fantastic to see such a bold vision for the protection of Scotland’s environment, which, as the Scottish Government says, is fundamental to our future. Now we need to see the strategy backed up with clear, binding targets for the recovery of our amazing nature.
“It’s also great news that the Government plans to set up a new environment watchdog. We look forward to seeing the full details, and trust MSPs will scrutinise these closely. It’s essential that citizens are able to hold Government to account. We need a watchdog with teeth: real independence, the power to enforce protections, and the people, expertise and funds to do the job.”
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Aedan Smith, head of policy and advocacy at RSPB Scotland, said: “We welcome the ambition to restore nature in the Scottish Government’s new Environment Strategy, released today.
"This is a positive step towards reversing the ongoing loss of nature and achieving net-zero emissions in Scotland. However, delivering real change is now critical. This can’t therefore just be a strategy for Scotland’s environment, if we are to achieve its vision it needs to be a strategy for all Scotland.
"The next steps must include a clear plan of action for delivery, significantly increased funding for nature’s recovery and an environment watchdog with the teeth, resources, powers and independence to hold Government and other stakeholders to account and protect Scotland’s amazing natural environment.”
The Government's announcement said that by 2045, the strategy will help to transform Scotland and secure the wellbeing of the environment and biodiversity by restoring nature and ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change. This will mean Scotland:
- Plays a full role in tackling the global climate emergency and limiting temperature rise to 1.5C˚
- Uses and re-uses resource more wisely, bringing an end to the throwaway culture
- Promotes a sustainable economy that conserves and grows our natural assets
- Supports a healthy environment that delivers a fairer, more inclusive society
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland’s natural environment is our greatest national asset and it is fundamental to our future, our health, our quality of life and our economy.
“A healthy and diverse environment is essential to the wellbeing of our economy and people. We are clear that remaining in the EU is the best way to nurture our environment and we profoundly regret that Scotland is being taken out of the EU against our will. However, as we move outside the EU frameworks, that have guided our approach for half a century, it is vital that Scotland demonstrates a coherent, integrated approach to the environment that is governed effectively.
“That is why we will embed the EU environmental principles into law so they can continue to guide new policy and legislation in future.
“This strategy will also do more though. It will be a living and evolving approach, able to adapt to new evidence as it emerges and refocus work to take advantage of new opportunities or address new challenges.”
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