Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Summary of evidence

This Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment has been developed drawing on a range of primary and other source documents, including responses to the public consultation on the draft strategy in September 2022. The consultation received 1,289 responses (including 1,010 in response to two campaigns by the RSPB and the Woodland Trust). It was published in draft to ensure that the outcomes of COP15 could be incorporated into a final strategy. An updated version was included in the strategic framework consultation to provide a link from strategy to delivery plan but did not seek any further views.

Evidence was also gathered from internal workshops with relevant policy areas including housing, agriculture, just transition, climate change and skills and development. Evidence identified as part of the FSDA for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024- 2029 was also considered.

The evidence suggested the potential for both positive and negative impacts on socio-economically disadvantaged groups, in relation to the Biodiversity strategy: These include

• Access to affordable housing
• Creation of green jobs
• Access to green space (health benefits)