The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, "Scotland’s Biodiversity: It’s in Your Hands" which sets out a framework for conserving biodiversity for the health, enjoyment and wellbeing of the people of Scotland now and in the future, was published by the Scottish Executive in May 2004. This strategy was developed in close partnership with the Scottish Biodiversity Forum, a broad based working partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations. To support implementation of the Strategy, the Scottish Biodiversity Forum, following extensive consultation, have produced a set of implementation plans which identify the priority actions to begin to implement the Strategy over its first 3 years. These plans represent the first step towards achieving the Strategy’s 25 year vision of Scotland as a world leader in biodiversity conservation.
1.1 The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
"Scotland’s Biodiversity: It’s In Your Hands. A strategy for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in Scotland" was developed by the Scottish Executive following the work of several working groups convened under the Scottish Biodiversity Forum. It also builds on a set of documents published by the Forum in 2003 under the collective title of "Biodiversity Matters: Towards a strategy for Scotland’s Biodiversity". It draws together Scotland’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and reflects Scottish Ministers’ desire to put biodiversity at the heart of our national identity and culture.
The strategy covers the period up to 2030. It presents a vision, an aim and five strategic objectives (Figure 1). The strategy also presents a set of outcomes for the year 2030 and a broad agenda for action in relation to each of these objectives.
1.2 Implementation Plans
This set of implementation plans address implementation of the Strategy for the 3 year period 2005 to (end) 2007. Through the setting of specific targets and actions these plans enable effective implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy over this period. The implementation plans were developed according to three broad sectors:
Plans were also developed to cover wider cross-cutting issues:
In addition a programme for action to address broad issues which are common to all sectors and plans (‘Common Issues’) has been developed (see chapter 2).
Figure 1: The Vision, Aims and 5 Strategic Objectives of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
Vision
It’s 2030: Scotland is recognised as a world leader in biodiversity conservation. Everyone is involved; everyone benefits. The nation is enriched.
Aim
To conserve biodiversity for the health, enjoyment and wellbeing of the people of Scotland now and in the future.
Objectives
1. Species & Habitats: To halt the loss of biodiversity and continue to reverse previous losses through targeted action for species and habitats
2. People: To increase awareness, understanding and enjoyment of biodiversity, and engage many more people in conservation and enhancement
3. Landscapes & Ecosystems: To restore and enhance biodiversity in all our urban, rural and marine environments through better planning, design and practice
4. Integration & Co-ordination: To develop an effective management framework that ensures biodiversity is taken into account in all decision making
5. Knowledge: To ensure that the best new and existing knowledge on biodiversity is available to all policy makers and practitioners
1.2.1 Development of the plans
Each implementation plan was developed by a specially convened SBF working group. These groups involved a wide range of governmental and non-governmental partners, who made extensive efforts to engage relevant sectoral stakeholders in the development of the plans.
Delivery of these plans is dependent on a wide range of organisations and agencies to both lead on and support implementation of the actions. In recognition of this, the plans have undergone extensive consultation, both during the initial drafting stage within the working groups and also through a formal more wide-ranging public consultation which took place in Summer 2004. The views of all consultees have been considered by the working groups in the development of the final plans which are now presented within this document. This has resulted in final plans which are achievable, focussed, and crucially where each action within the plans has been agreed and signed up to by the organisation identified with lead responsibility.
1.2.2 Delivering the Implementation Plans
As stated, the plans will be implemented by a wide range of organisations across Scotland. Lead organisations will be expected to lead on the actions to which they have agreed and also to engage supporting organisations to assist them in this task. In addition, a Scottish Biodiversity Forum Implementation Team, funded by a partnership of public and voluntary bodies, has been set up which will encourage and support organisations in meeting their obligations, and will oversee delivery, coordination and reporting of the plans. The SBF working groups will also play a role in overseeing and facilitating delivery of the plans, as well as developing the next set of plans.
1.2.3 Structure of the Plans
Each plan1 outlines the main issues facing the sector and the key priorities for action over the 3 year period of the plans. These priorities have been developed into detailed tables of targets and actions. The tables include the following:
1.2.4 Working with the Implementation Plans
The implementation plans have been produced in a hard copy format. This document is also available for download on the Biodiversity Scotland website:
www.biodiversityscotland.org.uk
In addition, the tables of targets and actions have been incorporated into the existing Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS). This is in response to requests voiced during consultation to present the plans in a user-friendly format which could be easily searched in a number of different ways. Accessing the plans through BARS will also assist organisations in reporting on their actions (see section 1.6) . The electronic versions of the plans in BARS can be accessed either from the Biodiversity Scotland website above or directly through the BARS website:
Within BARS, users are able to search the plans by the following parameters (or a combination of these parameters):
1.3 Reporting on the Implementation Plans
Scottish Ministers are required to report on implementation of the Strategy to Scottish Parliament within 3 years of its designation (i.e. by January 2008). To contribute to this report, the Scottish Biodiversity Forum will report every three years on the implementation status of each implementation plan. They will report on:
Leads, and supports when appropriate, will be expected to report on their actions using the Biodiversity Action Reporting System. Support, guidance and assistance will be provided by the SBF Implementation Team who will also lead on producing the final report on the implementation plans.
1.4 The Biodiversity Duty
Under Section 1(1) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004:
"It is the duty of every public body and office-holder, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions"
They must also have regard to any strategy designated under the Act, as well as the United Nations Environmental Programme Convention on Biological Diversity. This applies to the Scottish Executive, to all government agencies, other public bodies (eg, Health Boards), and to local government.
In addition to this general requirement, specific public bodies and other organisations have been identified as leads for the actions identified in the implementation plans. A significant contribution to public bodies’ obligations under the Biodiversity Duty can come from supporting the work of the Scottish Biodiversity Forum and helping to implement the actions within these implementation plans.
1.5 Guidance and Support
The SBF implementation team has been specifically set up to facilitate the implementation of these plans. This team is funded by a partnership of public and voluntary bodies and is on hand to provide support, assistance and guidance as needed. Contact details for the team can be found on www.biodiversityscotland.org.uk