Environment strategy for Scotland: progress report

1. Background

Section 47 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 ('the Continuity Act') requires the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish an environmental policy strategy. The section places a number of requirements on the process and content of this strategy, including that a report containing an explanation of progress towards preparation of the strategy should be submitted to the Parliament annually until it is completed. This is the first annual report on progress.

In order to meet the requirements of section 47 of the Continuity Act, the Scottish Government will build on existing work to develop an Environment Strategy. The Environment Strategy vision and outcomes document was published in 2020, and this is already influencing policy development across government.

In this chapter, we will:

• summarise progress to date in developing the Environment Strategy, including publication of the vision and outcomes, initial monitoring framework and website;
• discuss how the development of the strategy will fulfil the requirements in the Continuity Act;
• explain how the Environment Strategy will continue to influence policy development across government as it is developed.

1.1 Environment Strategy: vision and outcomes

The Environment Strategy vision and outcomes^[1] were published by the Scottish Government in February 2020. This followed lengthy consultation with stakeholders, through an online discussion and consultative groups. A series of knowledge accounts were published at the same time, summarising the key evidence that supported the development of the strategy.

One Earth. One home. One shared future.

By 2045: by restoring nature and ending Scotland's contribution to climate change, our country is transformed for the better – helping to secure the wellbeing of our people and planet for generations to come.

Alongside the vision, we presented six outcomes that provide focus for the efforts of the Scottish Government and partners to achieve the vision.

Three of the outcomes describe our ambitions for the environment, focussing on nature, climate change and sustainable resource-use:

• Scotland's nature is protected and restored with flourishing biodiversity and clean and healthy air, water, seas and soils.
• We play our full role in tackling the global climate emergency and limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C.
• We use and re-use resources wisely and have ended the throw-away culture.

There are established policies and strategies in these areas, which are reflected in the Environment Strategy. The Environment Strategy sets an overall framework for these policies and explores synergies between them.

The remaining three outcomes describe wider ambitions for Scotland's economy, society and global citizenship – drawing out connections with wider government policies:

• Our thriving, sustainable economy conserves and grows our natural assets.
• Our healthy environment supports a fairer, healthier, more inclusive society.
• We are responsible global citizens with a sustainable international footprint.

It is important that all areas of policy contribute towards the vision of the strategy, driving the transformative changes needed to tackle the twin crises, through a just transition. It is also vital to recognise the role nature can play in achieving wider goals for the health and wellbeing of Scotland's people and the resilience of our economy.

Figure 2 shows how our action to deliver the strategy outcomes will help to achieve the Scottish Government's national outcomes and contribute to the UN sustainable development goals.

Figure 2: Contribution of the Environment Strategy vision and outcomes to National Outcomes and UN Sustainable Development Goals

Centre: Environment Strategy vision

One Earth. One home. One shared future.

By 2045: By restoring nature and ending Scotland's contribution to climate change, our country is transformed for the better – helping to secure the wellbeing of our people and planet for generations to come.

Inner ring: Environment Strategy outcomes

Our healthy environment supports a fairer, healthier, more inclusive society

We are responsible global citizens with a sustainable international footprint

We use and re-use resources wisely and have ended the throw-away culture

We play our full role in tackling the global climate emergency and limiting temperature rise to 1.5oC

Scotland's nature is protected and restored with flourishing biodiversity and clean and healthy air, water, seas and soils

Our thriving sustainable economy conserves and grows our natural assets

Middle ring: National Outcomes in the National Performance Framework

Children & young people; Communities; Culture; Economy; Education; Environment; Fair work & business; Health; Human rights; International; Poverty;

Outer ring: UN Sustainable Development Goals

1: No Poverty; 2: Zero Hunger; 3: Good Health and Well-being; 4: Quality Education; 5: Gender Equality; 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 10: Reduced Inequality; 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; 13: Climate Action; 14: Life Below Water; 15: Life on Land; 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions; 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

Key

National Outcomes in the National Performance Framework

Children and young people: We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential

Communities: We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

Culture: We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

Economy: We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

Education: We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

Environment: We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

Fair work and business: We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

Health: We are healthy and active

Human rights: We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

International: We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

Poverty: We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

1.2 Environment Strategy: initial monitoring framework

The Scottish Government published an initial monitoring framework for the Environment Strategy in February 2021.^[2] This set out the initial selection of indicators that will be used to track progress towards the strategy outcomes, summarised in Figure 3, and plans for reporting progress. It also identified areas where further work will be undertaken to explore indicators as the monitoring framework is further developed.

A website^[3] for reporting on the monitoring framework was launched in November 2021. The website presents information on the status of indicators and summarises what this tells us about progress towards the strategy's outcomes. It also signposts to where more detailed monitoring information can be found for the strategies and plans that sit within the Environment Strategy framework. The website will be updated as new data becomes available.

Figure 3: Environment Strategy: Initial Monitoring Framework

Centre: Environment Strategy vision:

One Earth. One home. One shared future.

By 2045: By restoring nature and ending Scotland's contribution to climate change, our country is transformed for the better - helping to secure the wellbeing of our people and planet for generations to come.

Inner and outer rings: Environment Strategy outcomes and the indicators used to track progress towards each outcome, as follows:

Outcome: Scotland's nature is protected and restored, with flourishing biodiversity and clean and healthy air, water, seas and soils

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Marine and terrestrial species
• Air pollutant emissions
• Freshwater quality
• Marine environmental quality – a suite of indicators reflecting chemical contamination, marine litter and seafloor integrity
• Soil health indicators, to be confirmed

Outcome: We play our full role in tackling the global climate emergency and limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Scotland's carbon footprint
• Nature-based solutions to climate change - a suite of indicators relating to woodland expansion and peatland restoration

Outcome: We use and re-use resources wisely and have ended the throw-away culture

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Material footprint
• Total waste generated
• Carbon footprint of Scotland's waste

Outcome: Our thriving, sustainable economy conserves and grows our natural assets

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Natural capital accounts - monetary flows excluding fossil fuels
• Natural Capital Asset Index

Outcome: Our healthy environment supports a fairer, healthier, more inclusive society

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Visits to the outdoors
• Access to green and blue space
• Active travel

Outcome: We are responsible global citizens with a sustainable international footprint

Indicators used to track progress towards this outcome are:

• Global environmental impact of Scotland's consumption – indicators to be confirmed
• Sustainability of fish stocks
• % of Scotland's waste managed in Scotland

1.3 Environment Strategy: outcome pathways

The vision and outcomes set a clear direction for restoring our natural environment, tackling the climate and nature crises, and harnessing wider benefits for Scotland's prosperity and wellbeing.

In the next phase of work on the strategy, we are developing 'outcome pathways': identifying the policies and actions needed to achieve the strategy's outcomes, working across government. Further information on our plans for this work is set out in Chapter 3.

1.4 How the development of the strategy will fulfil the requirements in the Continuity Act

Section 47 of the Continuity Act requires Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish an 'environmental policy strategy', and to have due regard to it when developing policies. These provisions allow for work completed before the Act came into force to form part of the environmental policy strategy. To meet these requirements, the Scottish Government will build on the existing development of the Environment Strategy.

As required in section 47(2), further work on the strategy will continue to set out:

• objectives for protecting and improving the environment,
• policies and proposals for achieving the objectives (or a summary or indication of such polices and proposals), and
• arrangements for monitoring progress towards achieving the objectives.

As required in section 47(3), we will ensure that the strategy:

• aims at a high level of environmental protection,
• contributes to sustainable development,
• contributes to improving the health and wellbeing of Scotland's people,
• contributes to objectives in policy areas other than environmental policy,
• integrates environmental policy objectives into the development of policies in other areas, and
• responds to global crises in relation to climate change and biodiversity.

We shall ensure that our plans for consultation on the strategy meet the requirements set out in section 47(6).

1.5 How the Environment Strategy will continue to influence policy development across government as it is developed

The provisions of the Continuity Act require Ministers to consider how the strategy contributes to wider policy objectives across government, as well as integrating environmental policy objectives into other areas of policy development. This is fundamental to the effectiveness of the strategy.

The twin climate and nature crises are amongst the greatest challenges that Scotland faces in the coming decades. The international consensus is clear that tackling these crises will rely on transformative changes in the economies and societies of countries around the world, particularly in rich, developed countries like Scotland. To play our part, it is essential that ambitious policies are in place, reflected across the full range of government activities. At the same time, our action will create new opportunities to address national challenges around poverty, inequalities, health and wellbeing, helping to transform our country for the better.

Throughout the development of the strategy to date, there has already been substantial interaction with policy areas across government. Continued cross-government working is key to the next stages of strategy development, including cooperation with partners across the public, charity and private sectors. We do not want to wait until the Environment Strategy is complete, and then seek to incorporate policies in other plans and programmes. Rather, our aim is to work across policy areas as we develop the strategy. The Environment Strategy is not intended to be a separate programme of actions. Instead, we will report how actions to help achieve the strategy's vision are being incorporated into strategies and programmes across the breadth of government activity, helping to achieve lasting, transformative change.