Thriving nature must be at the heart of a greener Scotland
Scottish Greens co-leader, and former Minister for Biodiversity, Lorna Slater is urging the Scottish Government to ensure that Scotland’s iconic nature and wildlife is at the heart of its vision for a greener Scotland.
The call follows the publication of the Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Strategy, a process that began under Ms Slater.
The Greens secured a commitment to introduce statutory nature recovery targets as part of the Bute House Agreement that put the party into government for the first time. This would enshrine in law a pledge for nature across land, sea and freshwater to be regenerated by 2045.
Ms Slater said:
“Scotland’s nature has been severely damaged by decades of neglect, and we need to reverse this. We urgently need to turn a national story of loss into one of regeneration, and this strategy will be pivotal in making that change.
“When I was Minister for Biodiversity, we built up a positive vision for Scotland's iconic nature and wildlife and how it can thrive alongside people, communities and business.
“When we invest in our natural environment we are investing in our future. From natural flood management, through protecting iconic species like salmon, to the pollinators we need for our crops, we all benefit from thriving biodiversity.
“By increasing action to restore nature, preserve and enhance vital habitats, and safeguard marine life, we can secure a sustainable future for our farmers and fishers as well as our wildlife and our planet.
“What the government now needs to do is follow through on the delivery plan that the strategy sets out and commit to the funding and resources that will be needed..”