Leading environmental charities highlight huge potential for nature jobs in Scotland but warn investment is falling behind.
New research from leading Scottish environment charities, published today, shows that backing their plan for nature’s recovery could create up to 7,000 new jobs, contributing to Scotland’s economic recovery from Covid-19.
The Scottish Parliament is currently scrutinising the 2021-22 Scottish Budget. The three environmental charities say that all political parties in Scotland must use this opportunity to kickstart a transformative green recovery and want to see greater investment in nature-based jobs and skills.
The new data make clear that strong investment in nature’s recovery could, over time, create upwards of 4,000 jobs across peatland restoration; native woodland expansion, restoration and management; deer control; delivery of a Scottish Nature Network; and a farming advisory service. A further 3,000 jobs could be supported indirectly.
Last year, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and WWF Scotland launched a route map for nature’s recovery across Scotland and called for five areas of the plan to be prioritised as part of Scotland’s green recovery..
New analysis shows that implementing key aspects of the programme would deliver thousands of high-quality, sustainable jobs. The figures highlight how delivery of even a few of the actions outlined in the Nature Recovery Plan could create green jobs and support skills development, particularly in remote rural areas. Beyond this, the potential for the nature sector could be huge with the right level of ambition and investment.
Despite the enormous challenges currently faced by people around the world, ecological and climate breakdown still threatens our planet, risking further large-scale disruption and displacement of jobs and livelihoods in the future. Globally, nature is eroding at a rate never seen before in human history and one in nine species is threatened with extinction from Scotland.
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Posted On: 04/03/2021