Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Inequality of outcome : access to green jobs

The SBS includes a priority action to provide direction on, and investment in green skills and local economic opportunities supporting nature-based education, skills and volunteering.

The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) published in 2020 provides an important springboard for net zero skills planning and good progress has been made since its publication. The CESAP Pathfinder publication highlights that investment in net zero is progressing, with nearly £90 billion in green investments currently underway or planned in the next three years. The Pathfinder also provides a strong evidential underpinning across apprenticeships, further education, and higher education that will inform next steps. These are recognised as key opportunities for upskilling for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It is important that our education and skills landscape is flexible, adaptable, and easier to navigate for employers, learners, and training providers. The Scottish Government intend to fully align green skills policy and planning behind wider Net Zero and Nature Positive priorities with the next phase focusing on integrating green skills into the Just Transition Plans, Green Industrial Strategy and Rural Delivery Plan, rather than through a separate CESAP update. The CESAP Implementation Steering Group, will continue to play a critical role in informing the net zero transition, sending strong signals to the education and skills system on the need for urgent action to tackle net zero, and supporting the development of relevant strategies, including the Just Transition Plans, Green Industrial Strategy and Rural Delivery Plan.

The Biodiversity Investment Plan which will support the delivery of outcomes in the SBS will focus on how we address the Finance Gap for nature, and to establish a values-led, high-integrity market for responsible private investment in natural capital, supported by a national project pipeline for nature-based solutions. These actions will bring investment and create jobs in the communities where the projects are established.

There is evidence identifying ways to make opportunities created inclusive through support towards employment & progression:

• recruitment & selection to help disadvantaged people into jobs
• paid, work-based initiatives & educational partnerships
• flexible pathways to training for local economic needs
• help with transport & childcare, flexible working
• in-work advancement service / business support service