30% of Scotland's land to be protected for nature by 2030

Protecting 30% of Scotland's land by 2030 for nature is a welcome target. In 2021, Scotland ranked 28 from the bottom out of 240 countries on the Global Biodiversity Intactness Index (an Index which measures how much human activity has impacted nature). A target for nature's recovery could help to reverse this decline but it would need to be meaningful.

The paper below sets out the shared view of Scottish Environment LINK members on how this target can achieve nature recovery. It explains what should count towards the 30% target, the role of protected areas in achieving the target and the conditions required to manage new and existing protected areas so that they protect, maintain and recover the species and habitats that theu are designated to protect. 

Getting 30 by 30 right means learning lessons and ensuring that we do not have another lost decade for nature. First and foremost, this means growing from what we already have, ensuring that nature is thriving across our existing protected areas and helping this network to expand. This is vital for the survival and recovery of important species and habitats.