30 by 30 and Nature Networks

The Scottish Government 2020 Statement of Intent on Biodiversity outlined the commitment to protect at least 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030 (30x30 Target). The 2021 Programme for Government committed to the deployment of Nature Networks. These two are key components in increasing ecological connectivity and restoration of nature more widely, helping to deliver the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.  

Scottish Government has commissioned NatureScot to; 

• To develop and publish a National Framework and Implementation Plan for terrestrial delivery of 30x30 in Scotland 

• To develop and publish a National Framework setting a clear vision, principles, and approach for local delivery of Nature Networks in Scotland 

The 30x30 and Nature Networks frameworks will be developed over the coming year. A co-design approach will be adopted to deliver the two Frameworks including vision, key principles, and implementation plan. Find out more about how and why we are using the co-design approach.

There is close alignment and support of other area-based commitments to nature restoration including a new National Park and the Nature Restoration Fund. 

The process so far

The co-design approach began with a launch event on 28 June 2022. This event brought together over 150 stakeholders wishing to input to the design of the 30x30 and Nature Network frameworks. This first phase aimed to help people understand, rather than simply assume, what the challenge is, setting the scene by introducing the challenge, context, and parameters we are working within. An event summary, along with recording and post-event input, is available. 

A Discovery Workshop followed on from the launch event, taking place on 18 August 2022. This workshop continued to explore and define the challenges we wish for 30x30 and Nature Networks to address. This event brought together 120 people, from 92 organisations and groups, who were split into 13 different workshop groups to work on a joint conceptboard.  Summaries and outputs of the workshops can be found at Nature Networks and at 30x30.

As part of youth engagement in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy consultation, NatureScot and Young Scot ran an event which included gathering young people's input on what challenges currently surround Protected Areas and Nature Networks and what successful ones look like. A full report on the event will be available shortly. The outputs from the discussion are being taken forward along with the outputs of the Discovery Workshop.

The next stage in the co-design process saw a series of themed, 'solution-based' workshops run over October and November. The issues and challenges identified in the Discovery Workshops formed the themes and challenge questions that were used as the basis for discussion for both a set of 30x30 themed workshops and Nature Network themed workshops. The discussions and decisions made in these workshops by the co-creators will form the basis for the 30x30 and Nature Network Frameworks.

The core co-design workshops have been completed and the frameworks are being drafted. They will go out for consultation in late spring 2023. That said, if you are a group or organisation who would like to learn more about the process and frameworks please do get in touch.

Alongside the frameworks, there is currently a CivTech challenge underway which is looking at how technology can help the roll out of Nature Networks across Scotland.

You can find all previous events and documentation listed. This page will be kept updated with progress, news and information on how to be involved. 

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