Strategic Biodiversity Framework Delivery Plan 2024–2030

Objective 6: Take Action on the Indirect Drivers of Biodiversity Loss

The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services sets out the drivers of biodiversity loss. These include the five ‘direct drivers’ – which are prominently addressed through Objectives 1 to 5 – and the equally important ‘indirect drivers’ of biodiversity loss, which include aspects of our culture and behaviour, demography, economy and governance, institutions, and technology. Identified in the IPBES report is people’s disconnect with nature and the consequent lack of recognition for the value and importance of nature. This manifests itself in unsustainable production and consumption patterns. The relationship between the direct and underlying drivers is important. Attempts to fix the direct drivers without addressing the underlying indirect causes will likely result in a failure to bend the curve on biodiversity loss and reach a nature positive status.

The indirect drivers transcend a wide range of policy areas. The Scottish Government’s Environment Strategy provides the overarching framework for tackling many of the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss. It aims for a just transition to a net zero, Nature Positive Scotland with a circular economy. Of primary importance are Scotland’s Climate Change Plan and Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan (SNAP3), with nature and nature- based solutions (NbS) at their heart. The majority of climate change policy commitments and actions tackle the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss specifically unsustainable production and consumption patterns. For example, of the 61 specific climate change risks set out in the Climate Change Risk Assessment, to which the recently published SNAP responds to, at least a third of risks need a nature-based response.

New commitments and legislation on the circular economy will be key to addressing unsustainable production and consumption patterns. Across all of what we do – we need a new approach for building society’s awareness of the importance of nature, strengthening the systems and mechanisms we have for valuing nature and engaging communities and society in the identification and implementation of solutions – all fundamental for a Just Transition. Actions on the indirect drivers require influencing ‘levers of change’ (e.g. strategies, plans, policies, legislation, guidance, standards, and regulations) across all sectors, and at all levels of government.

Priority Actions

The priority actions which underpin Objective 6 are set out below,^[6] with further detail shown in Annex 1. Most significantly we will:

• Engage and strengthen the connection between people and communities and nature. We must widen public awareness and increase understanding of the actions needed to protect and restore nature on land and sea. We will provide more opportunities for people to experience and care for nature so that people’s understanding of the role of nature in our daily lives is improved. Nature positive developments and stewardship of public, community and private land are vital to ensure far more people are actively working for nature recovery – and reaping the rewards.

Though campaigns such as NatureScot’s Make Space for Nature initiative, we will continue to support people to:

• encourage nature into our lives.
• provide water and homes for wildlife.
• plant hedgerows and creating gaps in fences.
• avoid using artificial grass, paving or decking.
• give our time for nature.
• undertake regular citizen science activity.
• join a conservation volunteer group.
• encourage positive action for nature by public and private sectors.
• reduce our impact on nature, for example;
  • use only peat-free garden products.
  • follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • take steps to reduce our carbon foot print each year.
• Embed biodiversity and nature in curriculum development. In order to fully inform key decision-making for climate-resilient and nature positive communities across Scotland, a widespread knowledge and awareness of what nature provides for people and society is needed. This should not be confined to a subset of science and scientists. Major changes are underway in the education system which will provide the opportunity to embed the values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and confidence needed across all sectors to develop practices and take decisions which are compatible with a sustainable and more equitable future. These competencies, as well as a range of practical skills will be essential to Scotland reaching its climate and nature targets.
• Mainstream and integrate biodiversity policy across government and address unsustainable supply and demand to reduce biodiversity impacts. In order to achieve our Nature Positive vision for Scotland, biodiversity needs to be mainstreamed across policy development at all levels of government, as well as across business practices and wider society for example:

1. The Environment Strategy has begun to tackle the global footprint of consumption and the challenges and opportunities of shifting to a wellbeing economy.

2. Securing positive effects for biodiversity’ is one of six statutory outcomes of National Planning Framework 4 and as such NPF4 rebalances the planning system so that climate change and nature recovery are the primary guiding principles for all plans and decisions.

3. Development of Scotland’s National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) is underway and will set out an updated planning framework for our seas, guiding decision-making to help address the twin crises.

4. The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act is designed to help farmers and crofters to produce more food more sustainably, supporting their essential role in climate mitigation and nature restoration.

• Address unsustainable supply and demand to reduce biodiversity impacts. Halting the loss of biodiversity requires action beyond traditional conservation and management measures. Recent research has pointed to the importance of sustainable natural resource consumption and trade, reduced food waste and more plant-based human diets having major positive influences on halting biodiversity loss by 2050. This also has relevance to the Environment Strategy for Scotland.