3. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on working towards making Scotland the world’s first rewilding nation. (S5O-05092)

We are committed to tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, which are among the most important challenges of this generation. Tackling them is central to our green recovery from Covid-19. We are leading the world in our move to end climate change and restore biodiversity in Scotland.

Our high-level statement of intent on biodiversity, which was published in December, set out our ambition, including our commitment to protect at least 30 per cent of our land for nature, as well as the 37 per cent of our seas that are already protected.

The new nature restoration fund—the additional £10 million agreed in Green negotiations with the Scottish Government—has been welcomed by ourselves and others, including the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and RSPB Scotland. However, it is clear that we need more than investment; we need action. Protected areas are key to being a rewilding nation, but we need more than just lines on a map.

The Scottish Government likes to boast about how much of Scotland is protected, but it is possible to dredge a marine protected area, have driven grouse shooting in a national park and even build a golf course on a site of special scientific interest. Does the Minister agree that that is unacceptable? What action will he take to ensure that protected areas mean that nature is actually protected?

The protections and requirements are set out in the primary legislation that we have agreed as a Parliament. The investment that was agreed in the budget yesterday, which the member alluded to, will make an important difference. I am sure that in the next session, the Parliament will look at how we can continue to strengthen our measures on these matters as appropriate and for the benefit of tackling climate change and preventing biodiversity loss, while considering the other factors and interests of which we all have to be mindful.

Vitally important as the issue undoubtedly is, does the Minister agree that, for many fragile communities in the Highlands and Islands, repeopling is also a—[

Inaudible

.] Of course, rewilding and repeopling are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Does the minister agree that we should pursue policies that are aimed at either rewilding or repeopling

with the agreement and participation of those communities?

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

The sound was not great there, Minister. Did you catch it all or get the gist of it?

I caught enough, thank you, Presiding Officer.

I am grateful to Alasdair Allan for highlighting the importance of our local communities; as a former migration Minister, I very much agree with that.

Securing for the future the benefits that nature provides to people is at the heart of our efforts to stem the decline in biodiversity loss. I mentioned our biodiversity statement of intent, which was published in December. It includes a strong focus on the role of local communities alongside a commitment to engage with stakeholders in the development of a new biodiversity strategy and associated action plan.

Local biodiversity action partnerships provide a model for effective encouragement and co-ordination of local action. We strongly encourage local communities to seize opportunities to manage and improve their environment.