Programme for Government 2024-25: what it means for community-led marine conservation

by Sarah Doherty, Coastal Communities Network Coordinator

Last week, the First Minister introduced the Programme for Government for 2024-2025, outlining the Scottish Government’s key priorities for the year ahead. While we need to see more detail, there are some promising steps forward for the environment, as well as some missed opportunities. Here is an overview of some of the important points for coastal communities:

Importantly for marine conservation, the Scottish Government recommitted to developing the second National Marine Plan, as well as consulting on fisheries management and protection measures for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Marine Priority Features to meet critical conservation objectives. With a consultation on offshore MPAs already underway, this likely commits to a much-anticipated review of inshore MPAs and their management.

The Programme also highlights plans to alter and streamline the consenting process for fish farming in Scotland, based on recent trails in the Highlands and Shetland. CCN have raised concerns over this in the past, as it can potentially allow for the rapid expansion of fish farms while sidelining community input, so we will be keeping a close eye on how this unfolds.

One of the most significant wins for the environment is the commitment to introducing a Natural Environment Bill in the coming year. This legislation will introduce targets to restore our natural environment, bringing benefits for biodiversity and communities across Scotland. Recent challenges, such as the Government’s dropping of climate targets earlier this year, have raised doubts about the future of this Bill, so its inclusion in the Programme for Government is a welcome step. Moving forward, we’ll be looking for ambitious, enforceable targets to restore Scotland’s marine environment.

Additionally, the government has pledged to funding nature restoration though over 50 projects across Scotland. However, it’s worth noting that a proportion of this year’s dedicated nature restoration fund was used for council pay settlements.

Notably, the Government did not commit to introducing the long-awaited Human Rights Bill within the next year. This Bill would have enshrined the right to a safe, clean and healthy environment in law – recognising clean air and water, sustainable food, and non-toxic environments in which to live, work and play as fundamental human rights. which would have seen the right to a safe, clean and healthy environment enshrined in law. Its absence is a significant disappointment, as it could have provided a powerful tool to hold polluters and public bodies accountable.

There are some promising developments for community-led organisations also mentioned in the Programme for Government. The Scottish Government has committed to introducing a Community Wealth Building Bill, aimed at redirecting wealth back into local economies and give communities greater control of, and benefits from, local economic development. What exactly this will look like is currently unclear, but the Government recently consulted on potential proposals for this legislation.

The Government also plans to advance the Democracy Matters programme, part of the Local Governance Review, which seeks public input on how democracy can better serve communities. They have also committed to a review of all community rights to buy. Additionally, the final four Community Climate Action Hubs will be launched by next August, providing more opportunities for community-driven climate action through funding, support networks, and collaborative projects. These actions seem positive, and we hope that this will create greater opportunities for community-led conservation going forward.  

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