Scottish Greens pledge £200 million for nature restoration
The Scottish Greens have pledged to treble Scotland’s Nature Restoration Fund to £200 million, expanding support for community-led and landscape-scale restoration projects across Scotland, protecting our environment and allowing more people to benefit from our iconic nature.
The policy builds on progress made while the Scottish Greens were in government, securing a £65 million Nature Restoration Fund that has supported hundreds of projects from restoring oyster beds under the sea to creating paths through revitalised native woodlands, led by local communities, charities and environmental organisations.
The Scottish Greens increased investment would help restore habitats and coastlines; protect wildlife and nature; and support common-sense and practical projects that improve the natural environment in towns, villages and rural areas across Scotland, based on the needs of the local community.
Scottish Greens Co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“If we look after our natural environment then it will look after us. Our nature underpins the quality of air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and much of our economy.
“The growing scale of Scotland’s climate crisis, coupled with the utter lack of support by both Labour and SNP governments, means Scotland has to go much further.
“That is why the Scottish Greens will increase the Nature Restoration Fund to £200 million. For too long, Scotland’s nature has been pushed into decline by the climate crisis.
“This investment would give vital support, allowing us to restore our nature, support rural jobs and ensure more people can enjoy the benefits of green spaces, healthy ecosystems and wildlife in their own local communities.
Gillian added:
“It was the Greens who created the Nature Restoration Fund in the first place. It has already supported over 800 community and charity projects.
“In its first three years alone it helped plant more than 300,000 trees, restore over 300 hectares of wetlands, and create 300 new ponds across Scotland.
“With more funding available we can do even more. Communities across the country can take part in restoring nature close to home. Giving local people the support they need helps improve wellbeing and protect wildlife.
"This May, Scotland will decide what kind of country it wants to be. The Scottish Greens want a country that restores and protects nature now, so it can thrive for future generations.”
