Nature30 - Maintaining Integrity

Ensuring Nature30 is effective

For Nature30 sites to make a meaningful contribution to 30 by 30 alongside protected areas, and broader efforts across Scotland’s working landscapes, it is critical that they deliver for biodiversity.

Alongside using robust criteria that align with the CBD and IUCN criteria for ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’, good governance and transparency of the recognition process is central to ensuring the effectiveness of Nature30 sites.

Nature30 Governance 

In developing the approach to recognising Nature30 sites in Scotland, two considerations were key.

1. That the process was robust enough to provide confidence in the ability of Nature30 sites to deliver for biodiversity.
2. That the process remained simple and accessible for those who wish to apply.

To ensure both goals have been met, as much of the assessment as possible is done centrally to reduce the burden on applicants. The process is outlined below and critically involves expertise not just from NatureScot but from independent externals.

NatureScot staff will work with applicants to ensure that all required information is collected, only sending forward Nominated sites where it is mutually agreed with applicants and there is a high level of confidence that all criteria have been met. 

The Recognition Panel

The Recognition Panel is made up of five members: a NatureScot representative, a Scottish Government representative and senior representatives from Scottish Land and Estates, Community Land Scotland and Scottish Environment LINK. 

Their role is to help ensure integrity of the Nature30 accolade by providing independent scrutiny of Nature30 nominations, not on the basis of specialist knowledge of specific criteria but, by representing a range of stakeholder interests. They will assess applications objectively and against agreed criteria and guidance. They will either recommend that the PAC award the accolade or will pass the nomination back to the 30 by 30 Delivery Team for further discussion with the nominee.  

The Terms of Reference for this group can be found below. 

The Protected Areas Committee (PAC) 

The PAC is a subset of NatureScot’s Board and form a key pillar in the governance of area-based conservation in Scotland. Full membership of the PAC can be found on the NatureScot website .

Their role in Nature30 site recognition is to consider the recommended nominations from the Panel and to agree or otherwise with the recommendation. Where the PAC agrees with the recommendation of recognition of a site, an award letter will be sent to the applicant on behalf of the PAC. If they do not agree with the recommendation, the nominee (and Panel) will be informed, with the reasons for refusal and, if appropriate, any options for remediation. 

The PAC’s role in maintaining the integrity of Nature30 sites extends to ensuring that the accolade is only associated with sites that are continuing to deliver for biodiversity. Where evidence, either through contact with the site representative(s), as part of the agreed monitoring programme (covered in the nomination and assessment forms) or by any other means, comes to light that indicates the Nature30 criteria are no longer being met on a particular site the evidence will be passed to the PAC. This could result in a time-limited improvement notice which, if not fulfilled, would result in rescindment. A detailed formal rescindment will be issued by the PAC in such cases.

Any changes to Panel membership, including appointments, replacements or resignations, shall be approved by the PAC as the decision-making authority. 

Monitoring and Reporting

Continual learning process

The supporting information and assessors’ guidance will be continually updated in light of decision-making. Systemic issues will be taken to the 30x30 Programme Board and PAC for consideration.   

Appeals

Nominated sites have the ability to appeal decisions that they disagree with. 

Availability of Data

It is important that the Nature30 recognition, like protected areas, remains as transparent as possible. 

Alongside general site data such as boundaries, aims and governance type being made available on SiteLink and the World Database of Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA) there will also be an annual report on progress towards 30 by 30 that will summarise progress over the last year. 

The first report coming out Summer 2026.