Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: strategic environmental assessment

Appendix A Scoping information

A.1 Introduction

This Appendix presents additional information on the SEA scope, namely:

• Initial scoping consultation responses (February 2022).
• An overview of the relevant policy context in relation to wider and overarching plans, programmes, and strategies; and
• Baseline information for the SEA.

A.2 Initial scoping consultation responses

A summary of responses received as part of the initial scoping consultation (February 2022) is presented below. The table also indicates where comments have been addressed within the revised Scoping Report.

Historic England Scotland

Consultation responses from Historic England Scotland were as follows:

• Scope and level of detail: It is our understanding that the Scottish Government is committed to publishing a new Biodiversity Strategy by October 2022. The new strategy will be a scientific, evidence -based document that reflects the failing state of Scotland's biodiversity and the need for urgent action.

  We note that the historic environment has been scoped into the assessment. On the basis of the information provided, we are content with this approach and are satisfied with the scope and level of detail proposed for the assessment, subject to the detailed comments provided below.

  • AECOM response: Comment noted.
• Assessment methodology: We are broadly content with the two-stage assessment proposed. The stage one review of relevant SEA work should ensure that comments on the relevant environmental reports from the Consultation Authorities and other consultees are also taken into account. The stage two assessment should be at a level of detail which reflects the nature of the policy or action being assessed. This may vary across differing elements of the Strategy. Reporting of effects and mitigation / enhancement should be supported by commentary explaining the reasoning which underpins those findings. You may find a narrative summary supported by more detailed narrative and /or matrix presentation is a proportionate way of reporting which responds to the needs of varying users.

  It would have been helpful to have included more detail about the assessment method within the Scoping report, particularly in terms of any assessment criteria, questions or objectives. These should be informed by the environmental baseline and its likely interaction the aims and outcomes of the Strategy. We would be happy to provide comments on this or other detailed aspects of your methodology as it is developed.

  • AECOM response: Comment noted. Actioned.
• Scope of assessment: The scoping report explains that it is intended that the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy will frame outcomes broadly across different ecosystems. We recognise that ecosystem services and natural capital accounting form the basis for much land-use based decision making. These methodologies do not recognise the contribution the historic environment provisioning and regulating service, for instance the contribution it makes to our landscapes, or how it relates to biodiversity. Significant work is required to ensure the historic environment is recognised within ecosystem services and natural capital accounting methodologies. In view of this, the assessment should consider the environmental effects of taking an ecosystems services-based approach to the framework and outcomes of the Strategy; any reasonable alternatives to this approach should also be considered.
  • AECOM response: An SEA Framework has been included in the updated Scoping Report which sets out the considerations that will be made in relation to the historic environment and the other topics being considered through the SEA process. For the appropriate SEA topics, the proposed assessment questions incorporate a recognition of how ecosystems contribute to the relevant services associated with each topic.
• Cultural heritage baseline: For information, paragraph 5.7.1 contains a reference to the 'Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Policy'. This is incorrect, and the reference should be to the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland 2019 (HEPS). This is correctly referenced and hyperlinked in the footnotes.

  Whilst we are broadly content with the baseline information, we consider that it could be expanded to better recognise that benefits and outcomes to both natural and historic elements of the environment are often interdependent.

  Historic sites can be special for biodiversity as many have been protected from development, particularly agricultural improvement, which has allowed the preservation of local habitats and species. Scotland's hedges, fields, forestry, water systems and wetlands are all man-made features. These habitats are part of the historic environment, and they play a significant role in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. Many historic sites and landscapes are well preserved and have allowed the preservation of local habitats and species. They are reservoirs of wildlife which can support conservation initiatives, with important local populations of plants and animals.

  Larger sites and linear features, such as the Antonine Wall WHS, are important contributors to the wildlife corridors which allow plants and animals to migrate and spread as a result of pressure from development and climate change. Protecting historic landscapes from both natural and human threats also supports biodiversity and allows the preservation of local habitats and species. There are opportunities to support biodiversity through the sustainable production of traditional materials.

  • AECOM response: Actioned.
• Contextual PPS: We would expect the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland 2019 (HEPS) to be included here.
  • AECOM response: Actioned.
• Consultation period for the Environmental Report: We are content with the 12-week period proposed for consultation on the draft Strategy and its Environmental Report. Please note that, for administrative purposes, we consider that the consultation period commences on receipt of the relevant documents by the SEA Gateway.
  • AECOM response: Comment noted.

NatureScot

Consultation responses from NatureScot were as follows:

• NatureScot declares an interest in this strategy since we are closely involved in drafting the revision of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. This includes assisting Scottish Government with the scope of the strategy, the content of the strategy and ultimately a commitment to assisting the use of the strategy.

  Due to our declared interest in this strategy we have considered our role as a Consultation Authority, in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.

  We consider that it would not be appropriate for NatureScot to comment on further stages in the SEA process as a Consultation Authority.

  We have not been involved in the preparation of the screening or scoping report; we are happy, therefore, to provide informal comments on these documents. Our comments on the screening report and the scope and level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report and on the duration of the proposed consultation period are provided in the annex to this letter.

  • AECOM response: Comment noted.
• Scope of assessment and level of detail: Subject to our declared interest and the specific comments set out in the annex to this letter, NatureScot is content with the scope and level of detail proposed for the environmental report.
  • AECOM response: Comment noted.
• Consultation period for the environmental report: We note that the length of the period proposed for consultation on the Environmental Report has not been stated.
  • AECOM response: Comment noted.
• Setting the Context: The policy principles outlined in section 2.2 imply a transformation of our relationship with nature to one that conserves, restores, and enhances its benefits for people and planet (2.2.5). Therefore, engagement and positive benefits for people including health and education are in scope but do not seem to have been considered. This risks the health impact from biodiversity, in particular connection to nature, being underplayed.

  With regard to the relationship with other plans, programmes and strategies (section 3) there is no reference to the Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy 2020 – 2030, which is intended to sit within Scottish Government's wider marine policy framework including the Environment Strategy for Scotland.

  With regard to biodiversity, flora and fauna, it would be appropriate to consider the following, particularly in relation to non-native invasive species: Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.

  3.1.3 "The Wild Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) requires the classification of European sites known as Special Areas of Conservation" is incorrect and should read 'known as Special Protection Areas'.

  • AECOM response: Comment noted. Actioned.
• Baseline information: The Environmental Report should include a description of the likely evolution of the environment without the strategy to provide a frame of reference for the assessment of the strategy. We would like to draw your attention to the following issues and potential omissions, we have followed the numbering in the scoping report:

  Para 5.2.3 Whilst they feature in the list of examples there is no mention of marine habitats in this paragraph. We would also highlight the lack of reference to fungi ("approximately 90,000 animals, plant and microbe species").

  Para 5.2.3 Deer or other herbivore impacts have been omitted from the list of key threats (bullet 4); this is a significant omission.

  Para 5.3.1 We agree with the content of this paragraph but note the need for better integration, in particular with regard to the Climate Change Plan, the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

  Para 5.3.3 The following have been omitted and are key: agricultural practice; urban development; consumption.

  Para 5.4.3 This paragraph states that the emission of the eight main pollutants are lower in 2019 than they were in 2005. This is correct for the Air Quality in Scotland monitoring network, which it cites. This network does not monitor ammonia, however, which has remained at a steady level for a number of years and not reflecting this would be a major oversight of the SEA. Ammonia emissions are important due to their role in direct toxicity, nutrient enrichment and acting as a precursor to PM2.5. This last point means that elevated levels of ammonia in the countryside, mainly from agriculture, are likely to result in higher particulate matter levels in towns and cities. The key reference for trends in air pollution in the UK, with country breakdowns, is produced annually by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) for Defra and it should be cited.

  The SEA should also refer to the Scottish Government (SG) Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet, which has been commissioned as a requirement of the Climate Change (Emission Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. SG's commitment to improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency across the economy should be reflected in the SEA.

  Para 5.5.2 The tone of this paragraph seems to underplay the fundamental and existential importance of water management in Scotland.

  Para 5.5.5 First bullet point. With regard to the citation the water classification figures show current surface water figures as 2089 (64%) in good or better condition and 1164 (36%) in moderate or below, i.e. just over a third are classified as in moderate condition or below. Whilst there has been some improvement within the lower classifications this has been the case since 2008 so there is still considerable work to be done and the phrasing in the scoping report may therefore underplay this issue.

  Second bullet point. Pressures on surface water listed includes urbanisation but soil sealing should also be specifically flagged in this context.

  Fourth bullet point, on water abstraction, should be considered in the context that this issue is not only in relation to the resource as a whole but also on water distribution. Consideration needs to be given to overall hydrology across catchments, not just water quality and quantity, especially with regard to adapting to and mitigating the extremes of water availability that are anticipated by current climate change models. This is of particular importance in determining the health of wetlands. Catchment hydrology is influenced by land management beyond just intensive agriculture, including forestry, soil compaction, land drainage, etc.

  Para 5.6.1 The current focus on prime agriculture soil is limited in scope. Most of this section is based on Scotland's soil framework and supporting information from Scotland's environment web. It does not fully reflect the current emphasis on soil carbon, emission reduction and sustainability in resources management. We would expect some consideration to be given to the promotion of soil health, its resilience to change and the role of soil as a sink and source of greenhouse gases and carbon. The relevance of soil biodiversity itself to support above ground communities and control vital biogeochemical processes to nutrient cycles, greenhouse gas emission, pollution control, soil structural stability and development and many other functions has been overlooked.

  Para 5.6.2 The phrasing here does not seem to acknowledge that soil itself is a raw material which requires proper handling and management in order to control waste production and ensure proper use or reuse of soil materials.

  A key soil function missing has been omitted from the list: providing a platform for buildings and roads. This is important as soil that fulfils this function becomes sealed and loses capacity to support other functions, thus having an impact on soil quality and soil health.

  Para 5.6.4 The last sentence in this paragraph could be misinterpreted, it is important to recognise that a lot of our semi-natural habitats are over more mineral soils.

  Para 5.6.5 The total carbon held in soil under peatland is likely to be greater than 1600 million tonnes as this can also include carbon stored in peaty soil often associated with shallower blanket bog habitat.

  Para 5.8.1 The important role of National Parks in safeguarding landscape objectives appears to have been overlooked whereas it is overstated with regard to the protection of features of geological and geomorphological significance since it is the Site of Special Scientific Interest designation that is the principal driver of geoconservation activity rather than National Park status; National Nature Reserves, not mentioned, also play a role in this.

  Para 5.8.3 The significant value of geodiversity for niche tourism has not been mentioned.

  Para 5.8.5 First bullet point. The use of non-indigenous building materials has not been noted here. Fourth bullet point. The anthropogenic response associated with geodiversity assets being affected by climate change has not been noted here.

  Para 5.10.3 The use of the data from Scottish Health Survey is potentially misleading; better data, including NatureScot's own SPANS Covid 19 surveys, have been collated here. Key headlines are as follows:

  • During April 2021, over two thirds of adults (67%) reported that they had visited a green or open space in the previous four weeks. This was an increase from May 2020, during national lockdown restrictions, when 48% reported visiting a greenspace in the previous 4 weeks, and similar to November 2020 (63%).
  • No differences in number of visits to green or open space, frequency of visits or benefits to mental health by COVID-19 vaccination status were found, including the time since vaccine or number of doses.
  • Comparing data from Wave 1 (collected a year prior (April 2020)) there was a marked increase in number of visits to green and open space, frequency of these visits and reported mental health benefits of being in these spaces. These increases were highlighted in Wave 2 data (collected in November 2020) and sustained in the most recent Wave 3 data.

  There remain sharp inequalities in visiting green and open space: 73% of those classified as high socio-economic status visited in the previous four weeks, compared to just 59% of those classified as low socio-economic status.

  • For those who reported use of green and open space in the previous four weeks, 78% visited a green or open space on one or more occasions in the previous week. The frequency of visits varied considerably by individual demographic group.
  • 9 in 10 individuals agreed that being in green and open spaces benefitted their mental health. The most recent NatureScot SPAN survey1, undertaken in summer 2021, suggests a continuation of the trend towards higher levels of outdoor recreation participation in comparison to those recorded for the same period in 2019. This continuation may in part be explained by a proportion of the population establishing new habits, perhaps due to an increased amount of their time spent working from home. The groups most likely to state that they expected to visit the outdoors more often in future included women (50%), those aged under 35 (56%), members of the minority ethnic population (62%), dog owners (54%) and those with very good health (55%).

  Para 5.10.4 Also worth noting is that visits to the outdoors are lowest among the lower social-economic (C, D, E) groups compared to the higher ones (A, B). As the surveys described above have observed, visits to the outdoors became more polarised during the pandemic with a large percentage of the population (39%) spending more time outdoors in 2020 than in the same period in 2019 but around a quarter of the population (24%) stating that they were spending less time outdoors than a year ago with older people and those in poor health more likely to state that this was the case.

  Para 5.10.5 The penultimate sentence in this paragraph does not cover other important benefits which nature provides, for example, connectedness to nature has also been shown to have a range of positive physical and mental health benefits and is considered to be particularly important in young people with regard to establishing lifelong behaviours which support better health outcomes2 3.

  Para 5.10.6 If life expectancy is still projected to increase in Scotland this masks significant and growing inequalities in average life span between different population groups and localities. Mental health issues have also become a significant and growing concern particular in younger age groups. It is worth noting that:

  • Visits to the outdoors contribute significantly to Scotland meeting its physical activity targets with growth in recreational walking the key reason for the upward trend.
  • The use of green health activity is growing in health practice with benefits for public health and nature.

  Regular outdoor learning and play has been shown to support attainment and increase levels of physical activity and mental well-being in young people.

  • The protection and management of nature can have an important role in managing disease and pathogens.
  • Nature based solutions can not only help communities adapt to climate change but also to reduce its health impacts.

  Any effects on Natura sites/species: Guidance recommends that plan-making bodies can consider opportunities to combine the earlier stages of SEA and Habitats Regulations Appraisal, where appropriate, even though the differing requirements mean that the two assessments cannot be fully integrated. One option is to conduct the earlier stages in parallel, such as environmental information gathering, prediction of plan effects, and some early consultation stages.

  If the Habitats Regulations Appraisal is undertaken in parallel with SEA, it is important that the findings of both appraisals are separately and clearly documented and that the record of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal uses the correct terminology, applying them appropriately. In practice, it is easier to set out the Habitats Regulations Appraisal in a separate record, and where appropriate provide a cross-reference to it in the Environmental Report.

  • AECOM response: Actioned. Note NatureScot's own SPANS Covid 19 surveys – link showing ' Not found '. Headlines have been included, nonetheless.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Consultation responses from Scottish Environment Protection Agency were as follows:

• As required under Section 15(2) of the Act, we have considered the document submitted and can confirm that we are generally content with regard to the scope and level of detail proposed to be included in the Environmental Report (ER), subject to the comments set out below. We would also highlight to you that SEPA is represented on the stakeholder working group for the development of this strategy and we look forward to continuing engagement in both the SEA and the strategy as work progresses.
• Scope of the assessment: We welcome that all SEA topics have been scoped into the assessment.
• Approach to the assessment: We are content with the two-tier approach proposed for the assessment. The initial first tier review of related SEAs should be used to help refine the focus for the second-tier assessment and flag up key issues for consideration during the development of the strategy. The second tier should form an integral element of the development of the draft strategy.

  No detail has been provided as to how the second tier of the assessment will be undertaken other than it will be reported in a narrative style. Whilst we are content with the reporting style, we would ask for clarification to be provided as to how the second-tier assessment will be conducted. The use of SEA objectives is a recognised approach, and further details can be found in SEPA's SEA topic guidance notes on our website: Strategic Environmental Assessment | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

  • AECOM response: Actioned.
• Para 4.5 Reasonable alternatives: Limited information has been included on the development and consideration of reasonable alternatives. We would encourage you to use the first-tier review proposed for the assessment to help in the development and refinement of reasonable alternatives which would then be considered as part of the second-tier assessment.
  • AECOM response: Actioned.
• Para 5. Baseline: We are generally content with the Environmental Baseline and Trends information presented; we would highlight the following for your consideration:

  Para 5.6 Soil: 5.6.7 Approximately 80% of peatland is thought to be damaged. However, the majority of designated peatland sites were found to be in favourable condition.

  It would be useful context in comparing these two facts to understand what proportion of peat is covered by designation – the implication of the above is that only a minority is protected by designation. It would be helpful to clarify these statements.

  Para 5.9 Material assets: 5.9.5 – We would highlight the reduction of the urban heat island effect as an additional potential benefit to be gained as a result of blue-green infrastructure.

  5.9.8 – We would recommend including reference in this section to the green economy e.g. increasing use of recycled aggregate may mean a decrease in new extractions of primary resources which may result in a reduction of negative impacts on habitats and species.

  • AECOM response: Actioned.
• Para 6. Programme of works: Although no specific consultation period has been specified, we note that the public consultation on the draft strategy and ER is proposed between May and August 2022. We would recommend a consultation period of not less than 6 weeks.
  • AECOM response: Comment noted.

A.3 Policy context

As required by Schedule 3 of the 2005 Act, the wider plans, programmes and strategies (PPS) to which the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy relates have been reviewed. A detailed analysis of relevant plans, programmes and strategies in relation to the SBS & Delivery Plan is presented below.

International and EU level PPS and legislation

• Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds/Directive 2009/147/EC: Relates to the long-term conservation of all species of naturally occurring birds in the wild state across European Member States. Applies to factors with potential to affect birds including human activity leading to the destruction and pollution of habitats. Allows for designation of Special Protection Areas, as part of a coherent ecological network, known as European Sites network.
• Directive 92/43/EEC the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora: Aims to promote the maintenance of biodiversity as part of sustainable development. Allows for designation of Special Areas of Conservation, as part of a coherent ecological network. Notes that land-use planning and development policies should encourage the management of features of the landscape which are of major importance for wild fauna and flora. Also requires an Appropriate Assessment to be made of any plan or programme likely to have a significant effect on the conservation objectives of a designated site.
• EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030^[6]: Long term plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. The strategy aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 and contains specific actions and commitments.
• Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services^[7]: In 2012 the world's governments agreed to establish the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as a mechanism for strengthening the global science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Since then, IPBES has become the leading intergovernmental body for assessing the state of the planet's biodiversity, its ecosystems and the essential contributions they provide to society.
• Edinburgh Declaration on post 2020 global biodiversity framework^[8]: Sets out the aspirations and commitments of the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Process partners, and the wider subnational constituency of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in delivering for nature over the coming decade.

UK level PPS and legislation

• UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework: Development of the Framework reflects a revised direction for nature conservation, towards an approach which aims to consider the management of the environment as a whole, and to acknowledge and take into account the value of nature in decision-making. The Framework sets out the common purpose and shared priorities of the UK which is to be owned, governed, and implemented by the four countries.

National level PPS and legislation

• Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 and Climate Change Plan Update 2020: The Climate Change Plan update reflects the increased ambition of the new targets set by the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. To meet Scotland's targets, a rapid transformation across all sectors of our economy and society is required. It commits Scotland to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 (compared with 1990) and to net zero by 2045. These PPS support the transition to a net zero Scotland directly, as well as influence wider PPS such as the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
• Environment Strategy for Scotland 2020: Vision and Outcomes: The Environment Strategy creates an overarching framework for Scotland's existing environmental strategies and plans, including the Climate Change Plan. These will be reviewed over time, to reflect international targets and other policy developments. The vision and outcomes set out in this document will help to guide the future development and delivery of these strategies and plans by establishing our long-term direction and shared goals.
• State of Nature Report for Scotland 2019^[9]: This report draws on the best available data on Scotland's biodiversity, produced by partnerships between conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research institutes, UK and national governments, and thousands of dedicated volunteers. It focuses on the trends in species as the key evidence of how nature is faring.
• Scottish Biodiversity Strategy post 2020 – Statement of Intent: Sets the direction for this emerging biodiversity strategy in a response to the increased urgency for action to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
• The National Performance Framework^[10]: The framework sets national outcomes which describe the kind of Scotland it aims to create. The outcomes reflect the values and aspirations of the people of Scotland; are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; and help to track progress in reducing inequality.
• Draft National Planning Framework 4: The fourth National Planning Framework, sets out how Scotland's approach to planning and development will help to achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045.
• Programme for Government (PfG)^[11]: The programme sets out the Government's plans for the year and includes Bills that will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
• Draft River Basin Management Plan for Scotland 2021-2027^[12]: The draft river basin management plan (RBMP) sets out how Scottish Government, SEPA, other responsible authorities and partners work together to protect and improve the water environment in Scotland. The plan aims to prevent deterioration and improve the quality of the water environment to at least good condition. The plan is prepared by SEPA and approved by Scottish ministers.
• Future Fisheries: Management Strategy 2020 to 2030^[13]: This strategy sets out Scottish Government's approach to managing Scotland's sea fisheries from 2020 to 2030, as part of the wider Blue Economy. It explores approaches to achieve the delicate balance between environment, economic and social outcomes, and how working in partnership with fisheries stakeholders at home, within the UK, and in an international context, can deliver the best possible results for the marine environment, fishing industry and fishing communities. The Strategy is intended to sit within Scottish Government's wider marine policy framework including the Environment Strategy for Scotland.
• Historic Environment Policy (HEPS) for Scotland 2019: The Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS) is a policy statement directing decision-making that affects the historic environment. It is relevant to a wide range of decision-making at national and local levels. It is supported by detailed policy and guidance. HEPS should be taken into account whenever a decision will affect the historic environment.
• National Marine Plan 2015: This plan covers the management of both Scottish inshore waters (out to 12 nautical miles) and offshore waters (12 to 200 nautical miles). This Plan provides a comprehensive overarching framework for all marine activity in Scotland's waters. It enables sustainable development and use of the marine area in a way which will protect and enhance the marine environment whilst promoting both existing and emerging industries.
• Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011: This Act amends existing legislation in relation the protection of wildlife, biodiversity and nature conservation. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is amended in relation with, among other things: protection of game species (including close seasons and "poaching" offences); abolishment of "areas of special protection" for wild birds; the use of snares to catch animals; extension of the regime for controlling non-native and invasive species; delegation of licensing functions under the Act.
• Scottish Soils Framework 2009^[14]: Scotland's soils perform a large number of economic and environmental functions. Many industries, including farming and food production, forestry and tourism, depend on the sustainable use of soils. Soil management also plays an important role in sustainable flood management.
• Scottish Government (SG) Nitrogen Balance Sheet: The SG Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet has been commissioned as a requirement of the Climate Change Act and sets out SG's commitment to improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency across the economy.

A.4 Baseline information

The following section sets out the baseline for the SEA (i.e., the current and future situation in the area in the absence of the SBS&DP, to help identify the Strategy's likely significant effects). Given the strategic and national level focus of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, all environmental topic areas have been scoped in to this SEA (see Table 3.2). The scope is therefore presented under these environmental topics.

Biodiversity, flora and fauna

Biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and supports life by providing resources such as clean air, water and food. Biodiversity is also closely linked with the other environmental topics.

Scotland's biodiversity has been depleted due to human activity over centuries, with pockets of rich biodiversity struggling to sustain themselves in the faces of climate change. Scotland's biodiversity is complex and includes varied habitats across land, freshwater and marine environments, making up the diverse landscapes and seascapes. Approximately 90,000 animal, plant and microbe species are found in Scotland^[15] along with habitats, ranging from raised bog to native and ancient woodland. Scotland is home to a wide range of species and internationally important habitats. While there is no accurate figure for the fungi of Scotland, it is considered that there are perhaps 1,600 large fungi present, and many thousands of microscopic species.^[16]

Scotland's protected areas include 251 Special Areas of Conservation, 153 Special Protection Areas, 51 Ramsar sites and 2 Biosphere Reserves, 1,422 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), 43 National Nature Reserves and 2 National Parks, among other designations^[17]. There are also 244 Marine Protected Areas and a wide range of designated Priority Marine Features which help conserve and enhance the marine environment^[18]. Greenspaces such as public and private gardens, parks, woodlands, recreational grounds, green corridors, allotments and community growing spaces can also provide habitats and ecosystems which are not only important to wildlife, but for human health and wellbeing¹⁴.

Global declines in biodiversity are mirrored in Scotland and the abundance and distribution of Scotland's species has on average declined over recent decades, with most measures indicating this decline has continued in the most recent decade¹⁴.

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• The abundance and distribution of Scotland's species has on average declined over recent decades.
• Only 65% of natural features on protected sites are classed as being in favourable condition, with a further 13% classed as unfavourable but recovering.^[19]
• 11% of species have been classified as threatened with extinction from Great Britain and 133 (of those assessed) have already become extinct^[20].
• The greatest drivers of change in biodiversity in Scotland are climate change, urbanisation, pollution, woodland management, fisheries, invasive non-native species, deer and other herbivores, freshwater management and agricultural management.
• Currently, 37% of Scotland's marine environment receives protection with 22.7% of terrestrial land protected for nature. There is a commitment to increasing protection on land and sea to 30% by 2030 and examining options to extend this even further.^[11]

Climatic factors

There is a global climate emergency. Due to human activities including industrialisation, deforestation, and large-scale agriculture, quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere have risen to record levels not seen in three million years^[21]. The concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere is directly linked to the average global temperature, and there is unequivocal evidence that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land ^[22]. The scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole, and the present state of many aspects of the climate system, are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years²⁵. Scotland's climate has already changed and is both warmer and wetter on average^[23]. In Scotland an estimated 284,000 homes and premises are at risk of flooding; with an additional 110,000 properties predicted to be at risk by the 2080s^[24]. As such, Climate adaptation will be crucial to ensure that Scotland's society and economy will be resilient to future climate impacts.

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Changes in climate resulting in the loss of certain habitats and species, or species migration and breeding^[25]. For example through sea-level rise.
• Climate change and biodiversity loss are twin crises that should be tackled together. Conserving, managing, and restoring ecosystems are key to success.
• Agriculture contributes considerably to GHG emissions. Measures are being implemented/ explored to ensure that farmland practices result in increased uptake of high diversity, nature-rich, high soil carbon, low intensity farming methods while sustaining high quality food production.
• Between 1990 and 2019, there was a 43.8 per cent reduction in estimated emissions, a 37.3 MtCO2e decrease^[26].
• The most significant contributors to this decrease were energy supply, waste management, business and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF)³⁰.
• In 2019, domestic transport was the largest source of net emissions.³⁰
• Human activities such as land clearing, housing, urban development and construction of roads or other infrastructure, all place pressure on biodiversity and climate change. However sustainable development can support climate and biodiversity objectives.
• Drivers of biodiversity loss including those associated with peoples' consumption and production choices. Overconsumption of food and other materials can have a considerable impact on the global environment, nature, and nature's contribution to people.

Air

Air pollution effects ecosystems. Air pollution and its deposition onto vegetation, soil and water can damage vegetation directly or indirectly through the addition of nutrients or changes in acidity levels within a habitat. These can lead to a shift in the competitive balance between species, changes in plant species composition or subtle changes in vegetation structure, which can affect the use of a habitat by an animal species^[27]. Air pollution also has significant effects on public health and animal health. Exposure to air pollution is harmful to health in terms of premature mortality and morbidity, mainly related to respiratory and cardiovascular disease ^[28].

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Air pollution can affect habitats and species.
• Currently, 36 AQMAs have been declared in Scotland, 34 are transport-related and the remaining two have been declared for industrial emissions^[29].
• Emissions of the eight main air pollutants are lower in 2019 than they were in 2005^[30]. This network does not monitor ammonia, however, which has remained at a steady level for a number of years.^[31] Ammonia emissions are important due to their role in direct toxicity, nutrient enrichment and acting as a precursor to PM2.5. This means that elevated levels of ammonia in the countryside, mainly from agriculture, are likely to result in higher particulate matter levels in towns and cities.
• The main sources of emissions are transport, domestic and industrial.
• Policies that improve air quality can potentially have multiple co-benefits for biodiversity, as well as population health, for addressing inequality and for mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Water

Scotland's water environments are highly dynamic, supporting a diverse range of habitats and species of national and international importance, while also being of significant cultural and socio-economic importance. Water provides numerous benefits including drinking water provision, water for use in industry and agriculture, hydropower, wave and tidal energy, fisheries, aquaculture, recreation from, for example, wildlife watching, angling and water sports^[32],[33], and carbon storage^[34]..

Scotland has a wide range of water bodies including two thirds of British river systems and streams, varying from mountain burns to wide lowland rivers such as the Tay. There are over 30,000 lochs in Scotland, Loch Ness holds the most water with 7.4 million m3, more than all English and Welsh lakes combined^[35]. Scotland's coast stretches 18,000 km with marine waters out to 12 and 200 nautical miles making up Scotland's territorial and offshore waters, which combined make up 13% of all European seas. There are also 1,526 protected areas associated with the water environment.

Much of the water environment in Scotland is in good condition. However, there are still significant problems affecting water quality, physical condition, water flows and levels, and the migration of wild fish. Invasive non-native species are also damaging aquatic plant and animal communities. The river basin management plans for Scotland set out a range of actions to address these impacts^[36].

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Figures show current surface water figures as 2089 (64%) in good or better condition and 1164 (36%) in moderate or below, i.e. just over a third are classified as in moderate condition or below. Whilst there has been some improvement within the lower classifications this has been the case since 2008 so there is still considerable work to be done. ^[37].
• Pressures on the surface water environment include urbanisation (notably soil sealing), invasive non-native species, intensive agriculture/aquaculture and climate change.
• Groundwater quality and flow can be affected by diffuse pollution from rural sources, discharges from industries such as mining and quarrying, and agriculture irrigation^[38].
• Water abstraction and storage can also place a burden on water resources, with demand growing^[39]. This issue is not only in relation to the resource as a whole but also on water distribution. Consideration is also given to overall hydrology across catchments, not just water quality and quantity, especially with regard to adapting to and mitigating the extremes of water availability that are anticipated by current climate change models. This is of particular importance in determining the health of wetlands. Catchment hydrology is influenced by land management beyond intensive agriculture, including forestry, soil compaction, and land drainage.
• Airborne pollution can impact water bodies causing overgrowth of plants and algae and depleting oxygen levels.
• Climate change is expected to lead to increases in water scarcity, flood risk, and to increase the risk of non-native species spreading and becoming established in water environments^[40].

Soil

Soil is a non-renewable resource and is one of Scotland's most important assets. Soil is a raw material which requires proper handling and management in order to control waste production and ensure proper use or reuse of soil materials. Soils support a wide range of functions and provide many environmental, economic, and societal benefits including ^[41]:

• Providing valued habitats and sustaining and supporting biodiversity
• Providing a platform for buildings and roads.
• Providing the basis for food and biomass production.
• Storing carbon and maintaining the balance of gases in the air as a major store of terrestrial carbon.
• Providing raw materials such as the use of sand and sand gravel in construction.
• Controlling and regulating environmental interactions such as water flow and quality – for example, soil sealing can change the rate at which water enters rivers and other water functions.
• Preserving cultural and archaeological heritage by providing records and protective cover.

Soil quality is defined as the ability of soil to carry out the above functions. Soils contribute to ecosystem services such as food provision, fibre and raw material (a provisioning service), provision of clean water (a regulating service), protects and is part of Scotland's cultural heritage (a cultural service) and soil formation itself (a supporting service)⁴¹.

Scotland has a diverse range of soils, which are generally more organic, more acidic, more leached and wetter than those of most other European countries. Over 25% of Scotland is used for arable crops (mostly in the eastern half of the country) and improved grassland, mostly on the more mineral soils of the central belt and in lowland areas, and predominantly found in the south west. The remainder of the country is occupied by semi natural habitats over more organic soils with over 20% of Scotland being covered in peatland habitat on peat soils ^[42]. However it is noted that a lot of Scotland's semi-natural habitats are over more mineral soils.

Scotland's soils play a key role as the main store of terrestrial carbon, acting as "carbon sinks", most of it being held in soils under peatland habitat, including carbon stored in peaty soil often associated with shallower blanket bog habitat. As with all soils, those under peatland habitat are at risk from land use change and the effects of climate change, and their loss or degradation (and the associated loss of carbon) has the potential to be a significant contributor to Scotland's GHG emissions^[43]. The role of healthy peatland in sequestering soil carbon, helping to reduce downstream flood risk and providing benefits to biodiversity is recognised in Scotland's National Peatland Plan. Healthy, functional soils, capable of delivering a full range of ecosystem services, are needed to support species and habitat condition and diversity.

There is a strong interrelation between soil deterioration and the increased number of extreme floods as soils sealing, soil compaction and capping exacerbates flooding as the capability of soils to absorb water decreases and water runs off more quickly. Appropriate soil management therefore is a central plank for the development of a sustainable approach to flood risk management.

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Scotland's soils are considered to generally be in good health.
• Approximately 80% of peatland is thought to be damaged. However, the majority of designated peatland sites were found to be in favourable condition^[44]. This highlights that only a minority of peatland is protected by designation.
• Climate change and loss of organic matter pose significant threats to Scottish soils, with both likely to affect soil function.
• Changes in land use and land management practices are also a key pressure on soil.
• Contaminated and vacant and derelict land can have a number of negative impacts on the environment, including on soil^[45].

Cultural heritage

Scotland's many and varied historical sites are unique and irreplaceable. These sites and features are regarded as making a valuable contribution to quality of life, cultural identity, education and economy. While these assets are distributed widely throughout Scotland, there are clusters of sites in and around Scotland's settlements and coastlines.

The majority of Scotland's historic environment is undesignated, with estimates that the scale of the undesignated resource is around 90-95% of the total resource^[46]. There are more than 56,000 designated/protected historic assets across Scotland. These are protected through the process of designation, which aims to identify the most important parts of the historic environment, to recognise their significance and enhance protection. Designations include world heritage sites, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, gardens and designed landscapes, battlefields, historic marine protected areas and conservation areas.

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Existing pressures affecting the historic environment, including development pressures, maintenance, land use, coastal erosion and climate change.
• Climate change has the potential to affect cultural heritage and historic sites by accelerating decay, this may increase the pressure on natural assets needed to repair or maintain sites^[47].
• Communities, such as coastal communities, are intimately tied to the environment and biodiversity surrounding them - which provide a rich Scottish cultural heritage^[48].
• Biodiversity driven land management changes such as increasing hedgerows, native and semi-ancient woodland expansion and reinstatement of field patterns could impact on landscape and cultural heritage.

Landscape and geodiversity

Scotland's diverse and distinctive geological features and landscapes are a significant part of the country's natural and cultural heritage contributing to the economy and the population's wellbeing and providing a range of benefits^[49]. Scotland is internationally renowned for its varied and dramatic landscapes including impressive mountain ranges, broad plateaus, expansive lowlands, and striking coastal features^[50]. Many of these landscapes are the result of ancient glacial and periglacial activity as well as changes in sea level^[51]. The primary classifications are the Central Lowlands, the Highlands and Islands to the north and west, and the Southern Uplands^[52]. Situated among these natural features are the many iconic built landmarks and townscapes that help give Scotland its reputation as a tourist destination^[53]. The character of many of Scotland's buildings strongly depends on the local stone used to build them. Even the location of settlements themselves is often down to landscape and soil properties.^[54]

Geodiversity underpins landscape, and protecting our rocks, landforms and soils is also an important part of landscape planning and management^[55]. Many places in Scotland are of great importance to geoscience for their rocks, fossils and landforms, demonstrating important geological processes or events that have significant value for education and research and as part of Scotland's geo-heritage^[56]. Geodiversity is also significant for niche tourism has not been mentioned.

Geodiversity is also the physical basis for Scotland's varied landscapes (both rural and urban) and scenery. It has a profound influence on terrestrial and marine habitats, wildlife and use of land and water^[57]. Geodiversity assets of regional or local importance may be protected as Local Geodiversity Sites but coverage is not complete. Around 9.5% of the total area covered by Scotland's National Parks and 37% of National Nature Reserve areas have Geological Conservation Review site status^[58]. Some of these are also protected at the national level by SSSI legislation^[59]. Landscapes of the highest quality have been designated and include 40 National Scenic Areas and two National Parks (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms). There is a high concentration of wildland areas, National Scenic Areas and other designations along the west coast of Scotland, and in the Highlands.

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• A move towards a monoculture has created a less diverse landscape of field types and hedgerows.
• Geodiversity has a close link to local character, including through building stone and through influencing the location of settlements.
• Climate change is expected to lead to extensive landscape change across Scotland, with the greatest changes likely to occur in lowland and coastal areas where human population is highest. Geodiversity assets are also expected to be affected by climate change^[60].
• The coast and foreshore are under many pressures, particularly from climate change, rising sea levels and coastal erosion^[61].
• Aquaculture development, energy generation development, including on and offshore windfarms, can impact landscape, geodiversity and seascape^[62].

Geodiversity assets (including as revealed by distinctive buildings and structures) are increasingly at risk from the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events. There is a need to enhance the resilience of these assets.

Regional and local landscapes are becoming less distinct due to more similarities in building form, settlement patterns, and agricultural practices^[63].

Biodiversity driven land management changes such as increasing hedgerows, native and semi-ancient woodland expansion and reinstatement of field patterns could impact on Scotland's landscape.

Material assets

The 2005 Act requires material assets as a topic to be addressed in SEA but does not set out a specific definition of the factors it should encompass. SEPA guidance^[64] notes that consideration of material assets in SEA is usually taken to cover a wide variety of both natural and built assets.

As Scotland's energy mix continues to change, the electricity transmission network (grid) that supports the balance between energy generation and demand will change significantly, for example, as a result of the increased electrification of the transport and heat network. Infrastructure will play a key role in ensuring security of supply and decarbonising Scotland's energy systems in the most cost effective and affordable way^[65]. This is partly because the spatial pattern of electricity generation is changing from a centralised system focused on small number of large power stations to a decentralised system with development in areas with a previously weak network.

Blue-green infrastructure is an interconnected network of natural and semi-natural areas, ranging in size from small rain gardens and green streets to larger parks and greenspace including ponds and watercourses. These features can perform several functions and provide a range of benefits within the same spatial area^[66]. Benefits of blue–green infrastructure include a reduced potential for flooding, improved water quality, reduced infrastructure costs, and increased space for communities and wildlife^[67].

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Material assets is considered to comprise all natural and built assets in Scotland.
• Increasing demand for goods and services puts pressure on natural resources.
• Flooding poses the greatest long-term climate related risk to infrastructure performance, however, growing risks posed from heat, water scarcity and slope instability caused by severe weather could also prove significant^[68].
• Expanding the area of Scotland's forests and woodlands can also contribute to reduced GHG emissions, and provide an important commercial natural resource, improve biodiversity and provide spaces for people to enjoy^[69].
• An additional potential benefit to be gained as a result of blue-green infrastructure is the reduction of the urban heat island effect.
• Increasing use of recycled aggregate may mean a decrease in new extractions of primary resources which may result in a reduction of negative impacts on habitats and species.

Population and human health

The population of Scotland was estimated at 5,479,900 in 2021^[70]. The population increased by 13,900 people (0.25%) in the year to mid-2021. The average annual growth in the 5 years before the pandemic was higher than this, at around 23,100 people (0.43%).

Projections forecast that the population will continue to rise to around 5.57 million by 2043, an increase of 2.5% ^[71]. Whilst life expectancy is also projected to increase by 2043, the expected rate of increase will be slower than previous projections.

During April 2021, over two thirds of adults (67%) reported that they had visited a green or open space in the previous four weeks. This was an increase from May 2020, during national lockdown restrictions, when 48% reported visiting a greenspace in the previous four weeks, and similar to November 2020 (63%).^[72]

There remain sharp inequalities in visiting green and open space: 73% of those classified as high socio-economic status visited in the previous four weeks, compared to just 59% of those classified as low socio-economic status.

9 in 10 individuals agreed that being in green and open spaces benefitted their mental health. The most recent NatureScot SPAN survey^[73], undertaken in summer 2021, suggests a continuation of the trend towards higher levels of outdoor recreation participation in comparison to those recorded for the same period in 2019. This continuation may in part be explained by a proportion of the population establishing new habits, perhaps due to an increased amount of their time spent working from home. The groups most likely to state that they expected to visit the outdoors more often in future included women (50%), those aged under 35 (56%), members of the minority ethnic population (62%), dog owners (54%) and those with very good health (55%).

Visits to the outdoors are lowest among the lower social-economic (C, D, E) groups compared to the higher ones (A, B). As the surveys described above have observed, visits to the outdoors became more polarised during the pandemic with a large percentage of the population (39%) spending more time outdoors in 2020 than in the same period in 2019 but around a quarter of the population (24%) stating that they were spending less time outdoors than a year ago with older people and those in poor health more likely to state that this was the case.

Life expectancy at birth in Scotland fell in 2021, with the average life expectancy at birth for males being 76.6 years and 80.8 years for females. The figures for 2019-2021 continue the decrease of the previous year, which was the sharpest fall since 1980-1982.^[74]

Deprivation continues to have an impact on life expectancy. In the most deprived areas of Scotland, average male life expectancy was 13.7 years lower than in the least deprived areas. For females the difference was 10.5 years. This gap has become wider in recent years and Scotland has the lowest life expectancy of all UK countries.^[75]

Life expectancy was highest in Orkney Islands and lowest in Glasgow city for both males and females in 2019-2021, and most of Scotland's council areas have seen life expectancy fall over the last few years. Life expectancy was higher in rural areas than in urban areas.^[76]

The physical environment can influence health directly (e.g. through air quality or water pollution) and more widely through how people interact with the natural and built environment (e.g. enjoying well-designed public and/or green spaces within our towns and cities). The impact of environmental factors such as climate, geography, geology, topography and environmental hazards on health is termed the environmental burden of disease, much of which (in theory) could be preventable^[77]. Key service areas such as social care, housing, education, employability and leisure also have a relationship with health inequalities and health improvement^[78]. Nature provides physical, consumable goods and services that humans cannot live without, such as breathable air, drinkable water and food. Other important benefits which nature provides includes connectedness to nature has also been shown to have a range of positive physical and mental health benefits and is considered to be particularly important in young people with regard to establishing lifelong behaviours which support better health outcomes. Beyond these, there are additional benefits including trees which provide fuel and plants which provide medicines.^[79]

Some of the key pressures and trends the assessment is likely to consider include:

• Projections forecast that the population will continue to rise. Most of the central belt and other urban areas are projected to grow in population. But it is projected that the population in almost half of the 32 local authorities will decline^[80].
• Life expectancy is projected to increase. However there remains significant and growing inequalities in average life span between different population groups and localities.
• Climate change poses a wide range of potential effects on human health. It is expected that climate change's potential risks and benefits to population and health will not be evenly distributed^[81].
• The quality of Scotland's parks and greenspaces has continued to decline, with fewer people using these spaces regularly^[82].
• Scientific research highlights the clear physical and emotional health benefits where enhanced green infrastructure encourages spending more time outdoors and exposure to nature. Studies show that spending time with nature reduces blood pressure, lowers body mass index, helps to tackle depression and improves social cohesion.^[83]
• Derelict and vacant land can affect a community's health, environment, economy and social cohesion^[84].
• Mental health issues have also become a significant and growing concern particular in younger age groups. It is worth noting that:
  • Visits to the outdoors contribute significantly to Scotland meeting its physical activity targets with growth in recreational walking the key reason for the upward trend.
  • The use of green health activity is growing in health practice with benefits for public health and nature.
  • Regular outdoor learning and play has been shown to support attainment and increase levels of physical activity and mental well-being in young people.
  • The protection and management of nature can have an important role in managing disease and pathogens.
  • Nature based solutions can not only help communities adapt to climate change but also to reduce its health impacts.