Nature's last defence against greedy profiteers
The Scottish Government must act now and scrap plans to unpick nature protections, say Scottish Greens.
They are calling on the Scottish Government to remove Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill, which gives the Scottish Government new powers to undo existing protections for nature in Scottish law.
Wildlife and nature campaigners have raised serious concerns about these unprecedented and sweeping powers, which could put protected species, habitats, and landscapes at risk.
Stage 1 of the Bill will be debated on Thursday 30th October.
Mark Ruskell said:
“Scotland’s nature is one of our greatest strengths. Our stunning mountains. Our wild coastlines. The eagles soaring in our skies. The whales and dolphins in our Firths. But our natural world needs defending.
“Scotland’s foundational nature protections are our last defence against corporate interests and private profiteers.
“Whether it’s theme park operators trying to buy up the shores of Loch Lomond, or billionaire golf course developers undermining environmental designations at Coul Links, there’s no shortage of rich and powerful people ready to exploit our lands. They see laws that protect our natural environment as a barrier to their private interests.
“The new sweeping and unprecedented powers in Part 2 of the Bill could completely unpick the critical nature protections that have been the last line of defence against greedy corporate interests.
“Our natural world is our shared wealth. The Scottish Government must act now, scrap part 2 and defend Scotland’s nature."