NatureScot's CEO Francesca Osowska has a very simple message for the delegates gathering at COP26 – nature and climate change are inextricably linked, therefore it's time to place nature-based solutions at the heart of the fight.
When discussing climate change, it’s tempting to recall the words of Private Frazer from Dad’s Army. “We’re all doomed! Doomed, ah tell you!” Thankfully, as delegates once again gather at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, today the focus is on Nature Day… and there may be reasons to be more optimistic.
Nature and land use will both be top topics for the Conference of Parties, with a strong focus on tackling deforestation. Farmers will explore sustainable agriculture while policymakers discuss green initiatives from sectors as diverse as food production and finance.
For Francesca Osowska it’s an auspicious moment. The Chief Executive of NatureScot, the lead public body responsible for advising Scottish Ministers on all matters relating to our natural heritage, says: “This is significant. What’s been interesting in the run-up to COP26 are the number of reports published that set out the challenges we have in terms of climate change and the fact globally we are not on track to meet the Paris agreement of keeping temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”
Osowska points out, however, this COP is different to others because it’s not about setting targets; it is about how each country delivers their specific policies.
“If we continue as we are, humanity is imperiled but what I want to focus on in terms of optimism is the fact we can actually reach agreement in terms of how we keep to 1.5 degrees.
“A second reason for hope is nature is now being seen as a really crucial part of achieving this ambition. In fact, there will be a number of commitments relevant to nature and nature recovery.
“That link between climate and nature is crucial. My hope is it becomes an absolutely accepted part of the conversation; that the fact climate and nature are inextricably linked is recognised and we collectively stand to take action.
“If we can get to that point, that sets us up for COP15, the biodiversity COP, which is taking place next year. Our message for COP26 is: ‘Climate is Nature, Nature is Climate’.”
NatureScot is already busy tackling the twin crises of nature loss and climate change by using nature-based solutions.
“Looking at it through nature and landscape, nature has a tremendous ability to solve carbon problems. By protecting nature, by ensuring it recovers then is restored, we have the ability to take greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere.
“Research, which seems consistent on this point, shows nature-based solutions could deliver 30% of reductions in emissions globally. Our estimates in NatureScot would suggest that’s true for Scotland. We think 20% could come from peatland restoration and 10% from other nature-based solutions.
“Nature has tremendous potential to take greenhouse gas emissions out and store carbon. That’s in a range of different ways, whether planting trees, peatland restoration, marine habitats or improving our soil health.”
The clear and direct message is that nature-based solutions are not just ‘nice to have’ but are absolutely essential. Moreover, nature-based jobs make a huge contribution to the national economy, making up at least 195,000 jobs – that’s 7.5% of Scotland’s total workforce – in 2019.
The sector grew at more than five times the rate of all jobs in Scotland in 2015-19, accounting for one third of all job growth in Scotland. It’s estimated the forestry sector alone supports around 25,000 jobs and contributes £1billion to the national economy.
Many nature-based solutions are large programmes with grand ambitions. However, Osowska points out there are direct actions we can each take ourselves every day.
“The more people have an understanding of nature, the more they have an appreciation. The more they recognise the links – for example, between nature restoration and recovery and climate change – the more they’re likely to advocate for it and influence decision makers in terms of ensuring it’s on everybody’s agenda, whether that’s global leaders or local councils.”
Urban nature-based solutions, meanwhile, are helping Scotland’s towns and cities mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In addition to locking and absorbing CO2, having infrastructure such as green spaces and green roofs benefits biodiversity, improves water quality and flow, enhances air quality and provides attractive, safe spaces for people to live.
Osowska points out we need a diversity of nature across different places but, in terms of climate change, greening our urban environments is incredibly important because it cools them, as well as protects them from flooding and the worst effects of extreme weather.
“We can also get involved individually in helping nature in our gardens, even in window boxes or by volunteering: there are so many different ways people can support nature. We’ve had a really good response to projects such as our Make Space For Nature campaign.”
It’s clear connecting people and nature is at the heart of NatureScot’s mission, but it’s also critical if the ambitions of COP26 are ultimately to succeed. The goal is to have more people than ever starting to fully understand and support the powerful arguments to put nature at the heart of our emergence from the climate crisis.
“That’s why every one of us should be asking ourselves: ‘What can we do today on Nature Day?’,” says Osowska. “We could take time in a personal way, in the nature closest to us, to enjoy and recognise the importance of nature for global humanity.”
SCOTLAND TAKING DIRECT ACTION FOR NATURE NOW
The Scottish Government has legislated we reach 75% of our net zero target by 2030, with the ultimate goal of being net zero by 2045. This means committing to protecting 30% of land and seas for nature by 2030 and to highly protect 10% . . . with this as a focus, NatureScot has been leading the way.
MARINE
Our Marine Protected Area network protects nature in 37% of our waters and this will be added to by creating a network of Highly Protected Marine Areas covering at least 10% of waters by 2026.
The Government has invested £650,000 in the Scottish Blue Carbon Forum to build a better understanding of blue carbon habitats, while the Blue Economy strategy will offer a new holistic approach to stewardship.
WOODLAND
Scotland’s forests absorb the equivalent of 10% of Scotland’s gross GHG emissions: 6.2M tonnes of CO2 in 2019.
Around 80% of the UK’s new woodlands have been created in Scotland in the past two years: 22,000 hectares or 44 million trees. The target is increasing to 18,000 hectares every year by 2024/25 and the annual native woodland target to 4000.
Wee Forests, meanwhile, are small areas of densely planted, fast growing native woodland that provide play areas in a natural setting.
PEATLAND
The Scottish Government has committed to investing over £250m to restore 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2030.
Future review of the Climate Change Plan is expected to see these targets increased even further.
Since 2012, the Peatland ACTION programme has seen 30,000 hectares of degraded peatland put on the road to recovery, including around 6,000 ha annually over the past two years.
HABITATS & SPECIES PROTECTION
A partnership of land managers and encompassing 600 square kilometres, Cairngorms Connect has a 200-year vision to enhance habitats, species and ecological processes within Scotland’s national park. This incorporates woodlands, rivers, lochs, the mountain massif, blanket bog and wetlands – home to plants, insects, birds and mammals rarely found elsewhere.
The Central Scotland Green Network, meanwhile, is creating habitat networks and attractive landscapes, while improving cycling and walking routes.
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