Environment Strategy for Scotland: second progress report

Next Steps in the development of the Strategy

We have followed an open and participative approach throughout the development of the Environment Strategy.

We have ensured that the Environment Strategy informs policy development across government as it is further developed. We shall continue to do this as we develop the pathways.

Our aim is to launch a public consultation in the spring of 2024. We will conduct a public consultation on the full Environment Strategy (vision, outcomes, monitoring framework and outcome pathways) and the SEA Environmental Report. We will develop plans to hear views from as wide a range of interests as possible during the consultation, and seek to include economic sectors and social groups that do not usually respond to consultations on environmental policy.

After taking account of consultation feedback, the full strategy will be laid before the Parliament and designated as the ‘environmental policy strategy’ required under the Continuity Act.

Once the policy is adopted, the statutory duty on Ministers to have due regard to the strategy when developing all policies will take effect. This will help to ensure that the strategy has an impact across government. We will consider the need for guidance, training support for officials and record keeping to support the implementation of this duty.

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 will be undertaken following the development of draft outcome pathways. This will allow us to consider indicators to measure progress in the key areas for change identified in the pathways. The consultation on the pathways will also seek views on indicators to consider during this review. During the review process, we will engage with stakeholders to invite their views and expertise. 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.

A website⁹ 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 is updated as new data becomes available.

Figure 2: 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

Figure 3: Summary of progress with development of the Environment Strategy

First progress arrow: Environment Strategy Vision and Outcomes

Provides overarching framework for environment and climate policies, and starts to influence policy design while the full strategy is developed.

Second progress arrow: UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021

Creates statutory structure for the Environment Strategy, and introduces provisions for environmental principles and governance.

Third progress arrow: Initial Monitoring Framework

Identifies indicators for tracking progress towards the outcomes and highlights areas where new indicators will be explored.

Fourth progress arrow: Outcome Pathways

Will set out policies and priorities across government to help drive progress towards the outcomes and realise the strategy’s vision.

Fifth progress arrow: Consultation

The full Environment Strategy and SEA Environmental Report will be published for public consultation in 2024.