The world continues to face the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, with Scotland experiencing a dramatic decline in biodiversity. The Scottish Government is working on an admirable strategy to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and reverse it by 2045.
Scotland’s Environment Strategy sets a vision of:
‘By 2045 – By restoring nature and ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change, our country is transformed for the better – helping to secure the wellbeing of our people and planet for generations to come.’
The decline in Scotland is particularly notable in the following areas:
- There has been a 24% decline in average abundance of 352 terrestrial and freshwater species since 1994 – noting that 1994 was not, itself, a high point
- There has been a 14% decline in range for 2,970 terrestrial and freshwater species since 1970
- Peatlands are in such poor condition that they are emitting, instead of storing, carbon and are responsible for 20% of Scotland’s total emissions
- Only around 64% of Scotland’s protected woodlands are in a favourable or recovering condition
There are many different habitats we have to consider to reverse the trend including farmland, woodland, soils, uplands, marine, fresh water, coastal and urban. We each have a part to play whether we are local authority, farmer, scientist, member of public or any type of land manager.
Some of the ways the Scottish Government are looking to support a nature-rich landscape include (read the full strategy to find out more):
- Mixed forestry sequesters carbon, produces timber, and is more resilient to the
changing climate and more beneficial to wildlife than single species plantations - Restoring lowland raised bogs to a more natural state contributes to a more diverse lowland landscape and delivers climate benefits
- Natural open woodlands and scrub at higher elevations bring climate benefits, and a
natural and scenic diversity that is currently missing - A more nature-rich landscape in the lowlands can improve the well-being of local
communities and visitors - Species-rich grasslands support scarce plant species, provide food to pollinators and
other insects and bring colours to the landscape - Hedges wide and tall support more biodiversity, prevent erosion, sequester carbon and
connect habitats, enabling wildlife to move through the landscape
How Rethink Carbon can help
We are looking to help land managers recognise opportunities to increase both carbon storage and biodiversity across their land.
How you can get involved
At this point in time, the Scottish Government are looking to get views from experts and members of the public to understand how we should tackle the crisis. The consultation is open for 3 months and you can share your views using this link.
