Charities are campaigning for legally binding targets
Political leaders came together at the Scottish Parliament to support the introduction of legally binding nature recovery targets.
Scotland ranks in the lowest 15% of countries globally for the overall health of its biodiversity, and since the 1970s almost half of its species have decreased in number.
One in nine species are at risk of extinction in Scotland today.
The establishment of legal targets for nature in the Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill is a central ask of the Scotland Loves Nature campaign, alongside more funding to restore nature, and support for communities to protect and restore their local environments.
Representatives from the SNP, the Scottish Green and Liberal Democrats gathered ay Holyrood to show their support.
Charities behind the campaign hope that legally binding targets for nature recovery will help increase wildlife populations across Scotland on land and sea, end the threat of species going extinct from Scotland and increase the extent and quality of Scotland’s habitats – such as peatlands, native woodlands and seagrass meadows.
Deborah Long, chief executive of Scottish Environment LINK, which coordinates the campaign, said: “It’s heartening to see leaders from across the political spectrum come together to support our campaign. From our local parks to our stunning beaches, glens and lochs, Scotland’s nature gives us so much. It’s central to our health and wellbeing and to tackling climate change.
“The introduction of legal targets for nature recovery will encourage long-term planning and strategic thinking, which is sorely needed. Perhaps most importantly, these targets will make future Scottish governments accountable to all of us.”
“But targets alone will not be enough to halt nature loss. We need strong action from our leaders, and across society - and crucially, funding to hit these nature recovery targets. Scotland’s people love Scotland’s nature, and we need our elected representatives to support all of us to work to restore it.”
