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Scotland to return 30% of its land back to nature

Source: Unsplash

New laws will help safeguard Scottish biodiversity and the natural economy, valued at around $39 billion.

Scotland to protect 30% of its land to boost biodiversity and aid climate

Scotland’s Government has announced plans to protect 30% of land, in a bid to boost biodiversity and tackle climate change. The natural economy of Scotland is estimated to be worth around $39 billion  (€32 bn/£29 bn), and has among its jewels some 30,000 freshwater lochs, including the world famous Loch Ness. We included 10 gratuitously gorgeous images of Scotland’s breathtaking scenery to show you what they’re protecting.

Now, plans are being proposed to protect as much as one-third of its nature. If enacted, the new laws will help safeguard Scottish biodiversity and the natural economy, which has been valued at around $39 billion.
Scotland is home to around 90,000 species of animals, microbes and plants. Now, plans are being proposed to protect as much as one-third of its nature. If enacted, the new laws will help safeguard Scottish biodiversity and the natural economy, which has been valued at around $39 billion. Source: Unsplash/Gary Ellis

Nature is a hard-working economic asset

Scotland is famous for malt whisky, haggis and breathtaking scenery; rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and more than 30,000 freshwater lochs. It is also home to around 90,000 species of animals, microbes and plants.

Now, plans are being proposed to protect as much as one-third of its nature. If enacted, the new laws will help safeguard Scottish biodiversity and the natural economy, which has been valued at around $39 billion.

“Dealing with the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is one of the most important challenges of this generation,” Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said, announcing the project.

The plans would see 30% of Scottish land given protected status – up from 22.7% – and the government will look into options to extend this even further. Currently, 37% of Scotland’s marine environment receives protection.

Source: WorldEconomicForum 

said  Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said, announcing the project.
“Dealing with the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is one of the most important challenges of this generation,” said Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said, announcing the project. Source: Unsplash/Alyssa Bossom

Scotland is in tune with global initiatives

Scotland’s Loch Ness, home to the eponymous mythical monster, is part of a series of important ecological sites. It holds 7,452 million cubic metres of water: more than all the lakes in England and Wales added together.

The lochs were formed by glacial erosion during the last major ice age and can be important wildlife habitats. Despite their remote locations, they face threats from two particular sources. One is pollution, which can change the balance of nutrients in the water. The other is an increase in the number of invasive plant species finding their way into the ecosystem.

The World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders initiative is working in collaboration with the National Geographic Society and other communities to address some of these issues. Announced in 2019, its Campaign for Nature is seeking to promote biodiversity and ecological stewardship.

One of the goals of the Campaign for Nature is to protect at least 30% of the natural world by 2030, which is echoed in the plans for Scotland’s natural environment.

Source: WorldEconomicForum 

The plans would see 30% of Scottish land given protected status – up from 22.7% - and the government will look into options to extend this even further. Currently, 37% of Scotland’s marine environment receives protection.
Nature is a hard-working economic asset The plans would see 30% of Scottish land given protected status – up from 22.7% – and the government will look into options to extend this even further. Currently, 37% of Scotland’s marine environment receives protection. Source: Unsplash/James Toose

Direct links between the health of the natural world and the global economy.

The Scottish Government is also due to update its Climate Change Plan, with nature-based solutions, including restoring peatland and woodland creation, expected to be central to proposals.

There are direct links between the health of the natural world and the global economy.

“Pollinators such as bees, birds and butterflies are estimated to be responsible for between $235 and $577 billion worth of crops every year,” according to the WWF Living Planet Index 2020.

The combined threats of climate change, loss of habitat, disease, pollution and pests are putting increasing pressure on pollinating insects, and many other living creatures. Since the 1970s, global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have plummeted by around 68%, WWF says.

Source: WorldEconomicForum 

The Scottish Government is also due to update its Climate Change Plan, with nature-based solutions, including restoring peatland and woodland creation, expected to be central to proposals. Source: Unsplash/Eric Welch
“Pollinators such as bees, birds and butterflies are estimated to be responsible for between $235 and $577 billion worth of crops every year,” according to the WWF Living Planet Index 2020.
There are direct links between the health of the natural world and the global economy. “Pollinators such as bees, birds and butterflies are estimated to be responsible for between $235 and $577 billion worth of crops every year,” according to the WWF Living Planet Index 2020. Source: Unsplash/Gavin Tyte
It holds 7,452 million cubic metres of water: more than all the lakes in England and Wales added together.
The lochs were formed by glacial erosion during the last major ice age and can be important wildlife habitats.
Scotland’s Loch Ness, home to the eponymous mythical monster, is part of a series of important ecological sites. It holds 7,452 million cubic metres of water: more than all the lakes in England and Wales added together.
The lochs were formed by glacial erosion during the last major ice age and can be important wildlife habitats. Source: Unsplash/Ramon Vloon
Since the 1970s, global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have plummeted by around 68%, WWF says.
The combined threats of climate change, loss of habitat, disease, pollution and pests are putting increasing pressure on pollinating insects, and many other living creatures. Since the 1970s, global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have plummeted by around 68%, WWF says. Source: Unsplash/Ewan Harvey
One is pollution, which can change the balance of nutrients in the water. The other is an increase in the number of invasive plant species finding their way into the ecosystem.
Despite their remote locations, Scotland’s lochs face threats from two particular sources. One is pollution, which can change the balance of nutrients in the water. The other is an increase in the number of invasive plant species finding their way into the ecosystem. Source: Unsplash/Bjorn Snelders
Announced in 2019, its Campaign for Nature is seeking to promote biodiversity and ecological stewardship.
The World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders initiative is working in collaboration with the National Geographic Society and other communities to address some of these issues. Announced in 2019, its Campaign for Nature is seeking to promote biodiversity and ecological stewardship. Source: Unsplash/Zhi Xuan Hew
This is echoed in the plans for Scotland’s natural environment.
One of the goals of the Campaign for Nature is to protect at least 30% of the natural world by 2030. This is echoed in the plans for Scotland’s natural environment. Source: Unsplash/Sebastian Astecker
Make an Impact

HELP RESTORE 30% OF LAND AND SEA BY 2030

The Wildlife Trusts believe that people need nature and it needs us. We are here to make the world wilder and to make nature part of everyone’s lives. We are a grassroots movement of 46 charities with more than 850,000 members and 38,000 volunteers. No matter where you are in Britain, there is a Wildlife Trust inspiring people and saving, protecting and standing up for the natural world. With the support of our members, we care for and restore special places for nature on land and run marine conservation projects and collect vital data on the state of our seas. Every Wildlife Trust works within its local community to inspire people to create a wilder future – from advising thousands of landowners on how to manage their land to benefit wildlife, to connecting hundreds of thousands of school children with nature every year. Click headline above and scroll down for details.