Ambitious green finance initiative launched

Ambitious green finance initiative launched - NatureScot

£500,000 initially available to enhance Scotland’s coasts and seas

A ground-breaking initiative is being launched today by Scotland’s Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, to transform the health of Scotland’s coasts and seas.

The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) has received £500,000 from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund to begin this vital work. Now, NatureScot and partners are asking marine business and industry to contribute to this ongoing green finance initiative to support projects that will help to ensure that our coasts and seas are healthy, productive and rich in nature.

The fund accepts voluntary donations from a range of marine users and will award grants to marine environmental enhancement projects. SMEEF has been established by NatureScot, Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland with the support of Scottish environmental groups including Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB Scotland and funding from the offshore wind energy sector.

Today, the fund is formally open for donations and expressions of interest for grants. All marine businesses are being encouraged to come forward and support the work of SMEEF with donations.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “Tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a truly national endeavour which will require the collective effort of governments, businesses and our whole society to deliver the change needed. That is why we are keen to support this new and innovative approach to funding projects that enhance Scotland’s marine environment, bringing together the collective resources of the public sector and business to deliver truly transformative change. The Scottish Government is committed to taking forward a step change in marine protection – ensuring that our seas are clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse, and managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people. Our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund is making an important contribution to meeting our climate targets and restoring Scotland's marine and terrestrial environment, including through a contribution of £500,000 to SMEEF to help begin its vital work.”