Sustainable use of resources

Scotland is relatively rich in natural resources. It is important that we use them wisely to ensure that the health and prosperity of future generations are supported by healthy ecosystems.

Scotland's seas

A fundamental principle of our approach to marine nature conservation  is sustainable use of marine resources.

• The statutory system of marine planning  provided by the Marine (Scotland) Act will deliver significant improvement to the management of our seas.
• By 2016 a well managed network of Marine Protection Areas  will promote sustainable use and help meet conservation objectives. 
• Scotland is among the largest sea fishing  nations in Europe. The European Union has signed up to the global target of achieving the maximum sustainable yield for commercial fisheries by 2015.

Land and freshwater

The Land Use Strategy  (2011) provides a set of principles for Sustainable Land Use to guide policy and decision making by Government and across the public sector.

Scotland's soils are one of the Nation's greatest natural assets. They are valuable, but vulnerable. The Scottish Soils Framework sets out principles for managing them sustainably.

Water  is relatively abundance in Scotland, nevertheless it is vital to life and important to industry. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency  ensures that our water is clean and free of pollution whist Scottish Water  ensures that the water resources is used sustainably.

Biodiversity and sustainable development

By making the links between sustainability and maintaining natural services there is an opportunity to further embedded biodiversity into other policy areas. Sustainable development is already well embedded within Scottish Government's Greener Scotland  objective.

• Developing the low carbon economy
• Pursuing a zero waste policy
• Sustainable food through the National Food Policy
• Improving sustainable procurement by public bodies
• Investing in public transport