The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill - Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

Conclusion

7. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights?

Positive

8. If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill will protect, respect and fulfil children`s rights in Scotland by contributing to measures to improve the natural environment and the environment they live in, and measures to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Article 6: Right to life

The right to life is threatened by environmental degradation, including climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Environmental degradation jeopardizes children’s ability to achieve their full developmental potential. The development of children is intertwined with the environment in which they live and the benefits of a healthy environment include those linked to opportunities to experience outdoor activities and to interact with and play in natural environments, including the animal world. The changes brought by the Bill are intended to contribute to the improvement of environmental conditions, in particular by the operation of statutory nature restoration targets enabled by the Bill, and the reform of deer management legislation, to prevent future biodiversity loss. If left unregulated and deteriorating, the environmental conditions could in the long term create risks threatening children’s enjoyment of their right to life, survival and development.

Article 24: Health and Health Services

It is well documented that regular access to nature is beneficial for mental and physical health. The overall aims and purpose of the Bill will have a positive impact on children and young people. Children and young people specifically will benefit from the long-term impacts of biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation.

The changes to the aims of the National Parks to specifically include nature regeneration and restoration, climate change mitigation and promoting health and wellbeing of individuals and communities will positively impact on children living in the area of a National Park or visiting a National Park.

Article 29: Goals of Education – respect of the natural environment

The revised National Park aim to promote public understanding and enjoyment of the area’s natural and cultural heritage is likely to positively impact children and young people. National Parks play a key role in educating children on the benefits of a healthy environment as well driving the adoption of nature-based solutions, contributing to climate change mitigation. Outdoor education can also have health and well-being benefits for children and young people

Article 31: Leisure, Play and Culture

The focus of the amended National Park aims on nature restoration and regeneration could provide more opportunities for children to learn about, explore and play in nature. Inclusion of supporting access to and within the area of a National Park in the National Parks aims could have a positive impact on children and young people by increasing accessibility and more children and young people having the opportunity to visit National Parks and to participate in cultural, educational and nature-based activities

9. If a negative impact has been identified please describe below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

No negative impacts have been identified.

Mitigation Record

Not applicable.

10. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Yes.

Healthy: Measures to restore the natural environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change and will benefit children and young people by providing a healthier natural environment and access to nature, positively impacting on both physical and mental health.

Included: The inclusion of supporting access to and within the area, encouraging recreation in the area and supporting sustainable tourism and visitor management in the National Park aims promotes the inclusion of children and young people.

Active: The provisions in the Bill to support access to and within the area and encourage recreation in the area of National Parks could provide children and young people with greater opportunities to take part in activities such as play and outdoor recreation, which contribute to healthy growth and development

11. How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?

This impact assessment will be published by the Scottish Government on its website so those wishing to access it can do so. The impact assessment in so far as is possible has been written in accessible language so those reading it can understand its content.

The Scottish Parliament will undertake scrutiny of the Bill proposals, including a call for evidence at Stage 1 before the Parliament. If the Bill passes, the Scottish Government will take steps to publicise the provisions as they come into force.