Environment strategy for Scotland: progress report

3. Next steps

3.1 Development of outcome pathways

The Environment Strategy will not be a separate programme of action - instead it will promote a whole-of-government approach to achieving our vision. Progress with delivery does not have to wait until the strategy is fully developed. As shown by the examples outlined in this report, delivery is already happening. The Scottish Government is developing pathways to support further delivery of the strategy outcomes through a wide range of policies and programmes. These will be informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders, public bodies and across government. Once developed, we will publish these 'outcome pathways' for public consultation.

For the outcomes on nature, climate change and resource-use, outcome pathways will signpost to Scotland's established strategies and plans in these areas, as shown in Figure 1.

For the outcomes on Scotland's economy, society and global footprint, pathways will explore where there is potential for further action to help drive transformative change, building on the existing policies set out in this report and in Figure 1. As a core part of this process, we will seek opportunities to build actions into strategies and programmes across government to help achieve the strategy's outcomes, supporting a whole-of-government approach.

We will keep these pathways under review, ensuring that implementation of the Environment Strategy is flexible and dynamic. We will also ensure that the development of pathways is informed by relevant impact assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessment.

3.2 Further development of the monitoring framework

The initial monitoring framework, published in 2021, identified some areas where further work is needed to identify robust indicators of progress towards outcomes. Work to identify additional indicators is being undertaken in tandem with the development of outcome pathways. The public consultation on the pathways will also seek views on the updated monitoring framework. Once finalised, new indicators will be incorporated in the monitoring framework website.

The monitoring framework will provide a strategic and accessible overview of progress towards the strategy's outcomes, helping to guide improvements in our approach as we strive to deliver our 2045 vision.