Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Inequality of outcome: Access to green space

Key outcomes of the Strategy are that, by 2030, protected areas will be larger, better connected and in good condition, and that, by 2045, towns and cities will include nature-rich environments close to all communities, contributing to Nature Networks and measurable increases in urban biodiversity. These outcomes serve to bring nature closer to people through increasing and improving access to quality green space. Increasing access to green and blue space in areas of multiple deprivation is likely to increase visits to the outdoors. Funding has been provided through the Nature Restoration Fund to every local authority in Scotland to support the development of Nature Networks. These will enhance ecological connectivity by providing wildlife sites, corridors and stepping stones, landscape features, watercourses, green and blue spaces that together form an integrated network. Bringing nature closer to people in this way provides multiple co-benefits including active travel networks, flood risk mitigation, cleaner waterways, cleaner air and sustainable local food production.