Nature30
Nature30 represents a fresh approach to conservation. They offer an alternative to traditional Protected Areas by recognising areas that deliver positive, sustained, and long-term outcomes for biodiversity, as a result of the land management, regardless of the primary objective of this management.
Nature30 represents a fresh approach to conservation. They offer an alternative to traditional Protected Areas by recognising areas that deliver positive, sustained, and long-term outcomes for biodiversity, as a result of the land management, regardless of the primary objective of this management.
Nature30 in Scotland
Nature30 sites will safeguard a diverse range of ecosystems and include areas managed to support ecosystem resilience, connectivity, restoration and ecosystem function and services. This is a bottom-up or ‘opt-in’ approach that recognises land management that will deliver great things for biodiversity.
To decide how Nature30 will work in Scotland, a set of criteria has been designed. These criteria have been based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidance on OECMS – Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures - to ensure they align with robust international approaches, and informed by a group of stakeholders in Scotland, to tailor them to the Scottish context. At their simplest Nature30 sites are;
- Not an existing protected area
- Managed in a way that has positive outcomes for biodiversity
- Subject to a long-term (a minimum of 25 years) assurance that it will continue to be managed to deliver for biodiversity
- Recognised with the informed consent from the landowner or manager
The full criteria for an area to be considered for Nature30 recognition is provided here. Anyone responsible for an area of land or fresh water, that might meet these criteria, can nominate it for Nature30 recognition and where demonstration of alignment with the criteria is clear, have it contribute to Scotland’s 30 by 30 commitment.
As well as recognising effective stewardship of our nature-rich areas, and their contribution to a global commitment for biodiversity, being recognised as part of 30 by 30 should provide a route to attracting financial incentives (whether private or public) to further support and recognise effective management.
Unlike Protected Areas, Nature30 sites do not have statutory protection and therefore do not have enforced regulation. Instead, the emphasis is on the Nature30 site’s governance authorities meeting voluntarily agreed management commitments in the long-term. If it becomes evident that the land is not being managed effectively with benefits for biodiversity, then the site will no longer receive Nature30 recognition.
What’s the difference between Nature30 (OECMs) and protected areas?
- The primary objective of protected areas is always biodiversity conservation, whereas this is not necessarily true for Nature30 sites.
- The procedure for recognising Nature30 sites is more accessible and flexible than that for protected areas.
- Sites recognised as Nature30 already have an established governance and management system, whereas the management system for a protected area is instituted—based on conservation objectives—only once the protected area has been designated.
- Both of these mechanisms produce positive results for biodiversity conservation, of equal value, in the long term.
Nomination Process
The nomination and recognition process for Nature30 aims to be as simple as possible whilst remaining robust to maintain confidence in their continued importance for biodiversity.
Landowners or managers use a self-assessment Nomination Form to demonstrate how their site meets each of the Nature30 criteria. These nominations will then be assessed, and then considered and reviewed by a panel, before receiving confirmation of recognition. NatureScot are committed to supportive process, working with landowners, managers, communities, private companies or public bodies through the process. Where existing arrangements do not allow for recognition, NatureScot will support governing bodies to understand how alignment can be increased so they understand the route to inclusion and can make informed decisions as to how they wish to progress. The approach has initially be developed through a pilot programme and continue to adapt moving forward to ensure that it is effective and responds to users’ needs.
Please find linked to here and above the criteria, and the form for nominating a site for Nature30 recognition.
Recognising what we have
As well as sites nominating themselves through this open nomination and recognition process, NatureScot is currently reviewing the landscape designations Scotland already has, as well as other land-based accreditation schemes, and how they align with the Nature30 criteria. Where there is alignment, these may offer opportunities for sites to become recognised at a quicker pace, removing duplication and reducing the burden on those already accredited through existing schemes.
Be part of a global movement
Nature30 sites count toward the achievement of the international and national target of conserving 30% of land and fresh water by 2030 (CBD’s third target, better known as ‘30 by 30’ or ‘30x30’). This target is one of 23 action-oriented global targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).
Nature30 is Scotland’s approach to the globally recognised approach of OECMs. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s global definition of an OECM is:
“a geographically defined area other than a protected area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.”
NatureScot worked with the OECM Working Group and pilot sites to ensure the international definition and guidance, including that from the IUCN, could be applied simply and effectively to Scotland.
Scotland’s Nature30 sites will be added to the World Database of OECMs, showcased across the globe for their contribution.
Contacts
30x30
