Scotland leads the way in international nature targets

Positive results in key areas that tackle decline in Scotland’s nature are revealed in the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report, ‘Scotland’s Biodiversity Progress to 2020 Aichi Targets’.

Scotland has exceeded nature targets in key areas, including:

- Scotland is a world leader in developing the concept of natural capital -  Scotland’s stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things - with nature values integrated into Scotland’s mainstream planning, policy and reporting frameworks.

- Bringing nearly one-fifth of Scotland’s seas area into the Marine Protected Area network

- Restoring some of Scotland’s most threatened habitats, including rivers, and some 10,000 ha of peatlands since 2012

- Increasing awareness of the value of nature to two-thirds of the Scottish public

Across the world, countries are dealing with species declining 1000 times faster than expected in normal ecological conditions. In Scotland, the report shows the nation is on track to meet seven of the targets, with a further twelve needing further action to reduce key pressures on nature arising from pollution, land-use change, the spread of invasive species and climate change.

The report takes in work undertaken by SNH and a wide range of partners, including business and land managers, local authorities, environmental NGOs, community groups and schools, the fishing industry, and the Scottish Government.

The 20 Aichi targets were developed by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2011 to encourage countries around the world to work together and contribute to reducing the rate of loss of nature. The targets are measureable and all signatories, including the UK, have agreed to meet them by 2020. While the targets are not binding, the Scottish and UK Governments have made meeting them a priority.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham will meet with key drivers in Scotland’s biodiversity community on 6 June at SNH’s Battleby hub to celebrate achievements this far, and discuss ways of meeting and exceeding the ambitious Aichi 2020 targets.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am pleased to see Scotland leading the way with its work to protect and increase biodiversity as our natural environment is one of our most precious assets.

“It is fantastic to see we are on track to meet our 2020 targets and our partnership working is delivering real benefits with improvements to our marine environment, peatlands, rivers and woodlands over the last few years.

“As the target date of 2020 draws closer it’s crucial that public, private, third sector and individuals all continue to work as hard as we can to protect and enhance nature, as biodiversity underpins our productivity, prosperity and health and wellbeing.”

Mike Cantlay, Chair of SNH, said: “It’s always fantastic to see Scotland be the first. Team Scotland is coming together to overcome the loss of biodiversity, and I’m proud our country is leading the way in publishing our progress on nature targets.

“But there is no room for complacency, and it is not the sole responsibility of a single sector or industry to tackle biodiversity loss. With 2020 fast approaching, now is the time for a ‘natural’ conversation on Scotland’s future and how we meet – and even exceed – these ambitious targets for nature. It’s great to see progress being made, but more action is required. We can’t reverse climate change but, working together, we can protect our country’s incredible natural resources for future generations.”