Award of RESAS-002-23 - Consultation Analysis – Tackling the Nature Emergency: Consultation on Sc...

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Introduction1. On 7th September 2023, the Scottish Government launched a 14 week public consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity. The consultation is seeking views on a number of different policy areas, including a draft of the first-five year Delivery Plan for implementing the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, and elements of the proposed Natural Environment Bill. The consultation covers a number of different policy areas and closes on 14th December 2023.2. The Scottish Government is seeking to commission a contractor to undertake the analysis of responses. The overall aim of the contract is provide robust and timely analysis and reporting on the responses to the consultation, to inform refinement and publication of the first Delivery Plan, and inform the development of the proposed Natural Environment Bill.Background & Context3. The twin crises of climate change and nature loss need urgent action across Government and society. We all depend on biodiversity and so the biodiversity crisis affects everyone. It provides our food, helps prevent flooding and soil erosion, purifies our water and contributes to our wellbeing, by providing recreation and a sense of place. The natural environment underpins our economy, including our jobs, our health and our ability to address the global climate emergency.4. The current Biodiversity consultation is set out in two parts. Part A covers the final draft of the Strategy, the draft Delivery Plan, and policy frameworks for Nature Networks and ‘30 by 30’ (the commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030). Part B of the consultation covers two elements of the proposed Natural Environment Bill; changes to National Parks legislation and proposals for statutory targets for nature restoration. Each Part also contains a section with questions on impact assessments.5. These proposals will help deliver the ambition set out in our Biodiversity Strategy, setting out the actions we will take to deliver the Strategy’s goals to halt nature loss by 2030 and reverse it by 2045.