Consultation Analysis: Informing Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy

Context for a Biodiversity Strategy in Scotland

Scotland has acknowledged that it is facing a biodiversity crisis. The State of Nature Scotland 2023 report highlights that nature is in decline, noting that the number of wildlife species has decreased by an average of 15% since 1994, and one in nine (11%) Scottish species is now threatened with extinction.

In September 2023, the Scottish Government launched a 14-week public consultation to seek views from key stakeholders and the public to develop a framework to support a nature-positive vision for Scotland. This focused on how regenerating biodiversity can underpin a healthy and thriving economy and society. The consultation intended to gain input on a range of proposed policies pivotal for Scotland to become nature-positive by 2030 and to restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045. To achieve this vision and develop an inclusive framework, the consultation considered the following:

• Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. A high-level vision to halt and reverse biodiversity loss across all Scottish habitats.

• First Five-Year Delivery Plan. Key actions to deliver the strategy such as facilitating partnership projects for landscape restoration, increasing resilience in coastal and marine habitats, and sustainable management of sheep grazing and deer densities to improve overall ecosystem health.

• Proposed Natural Environment Bill. A framework for establishing statutory nature targets and other proposed legislative changes, such as changes to the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.

Wavehill's Approach

Wavehill was appointed in December 2023 to undertake an independent and systematic analysis of the consultation responses received. In total, it received over 650 responses, representing a range of individuals and stakeholders with broad interests in different aspects of the proposed framework.

We conducted a quantitative analysis of all closed responses and a detailed thematic analysis of all free-text responses to analyse the perspectives offered by respondents. By producing a question-by-question analysis of comments made and summarising key cross-cutting themes, our analysis brought to light diverse perspectives, common themes, and key issues that were raised.

Impact of Evaluation

A key intent of the Scottish Government’s approach to the consultation and, consequently, the development of the framework focused on the ‘whole of society’ and ensuring a broad representation of Scottish voices were considered. Wavehill helped realise this intent by ensuring that every response was carefully read and analysed. Our analysis informed the final Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, which was published in November 2024. Further work is currently underway to realise this ambitious strategy.