Response: Scottish Wildlife Trust warns of urgent need for action - Scottish Wildlife Trust

Scotland’s leading conservation charity, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plans. However, they have also warned that despite some good ambitions, the Government must go further to meet its own stated targets, calling for more action and funding to support work on the ground by local government, charities and communities.

Recent collaborative work that Edinburgh University and the Scottish Wildlife Trust carried out showed that there is real urgency required in tackling the biodiversity crisis and that acting early enhances resilience, whereas failure to invest in nature now will only cost us more in the long run. Simply put: by acting now for nature, we minimise long-term costs and keep our options open for future decisions.

Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “We are pleased to see the launch of the long-awaited and much-needed Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plans. The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that a huge effort is needed across the whole of society if we are to realistically tackle the climate and nature emergencies. Alongside the strategy, we welcome the Government’s commitment to develop statutory targets for nature’s recovery in the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill. Together, they can help us move closer to realising the ambitions of the many people who have fed into this strategy. However, this will require leadership at all levels, increased resources and a recognition that nature is vital to our economy, our wellbeing and our future.”