Environment Strategy: progress report - March 2024

2. Environment Strategy Vision and Outcomes

The Environment Strategy vision and outcomes^[6] were published by the Scottish Government in February 2020. Publication followed detailed consultation with stakeholders, through an online discussion and consultative groups. A series of knowledge accounts were also published, summarising the key evidence that supported the development of the vision and outcomes for the strategy.

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

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

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.

• 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 support and integrate with the Environment Strategy. The Environment Strategy sets an overall framework for these policies and explores synergies between them, and with the wider ambitions discussed below.

The remaining three outcomes describe wider ambitions for Scotland’s economy, society and global citizenship – strengthening 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 and promote 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 1 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 1: Contribution of the Environment Strategy vision and outcomes to National Outcomes and UN Sustainable Development Goals

The connections between the Environment Strategy Vision, the Environment Strategy Outcomes, the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

At the centre of the diagram is the 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.

The inner ring of the diagram shows the Environment Strategy outcomes: 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; 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

The middle ring of the diagram relates the strategy outcomes to the National Outcomes in the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework. There are National Outcomes for Children & young people, Communities, Culture, Economy, Education, Environment, Fair work & business, Health, Human rights, International, and Poverty.

The outer ring of the diagram relates the outcomes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These are 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 inequalities; 11: Sustainable cities and communities; 12: Responsible consumption and production; 13: Climate action; 14: Life below water; 15: Life on land; 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; 17: Partnerships for the goals.

The relationship between the elements described in the diagram can be found in a table in this document Contribution of the Environment Strategy vision and outcomes to National Outcomes and UN Sustainable Development Goals (www.gov.scot)

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

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