Step 5: Supporting nature-based solutions to climate change

1. What is climate change doing to our natural world?

Climate change and nature loss are the greatest threats facing humanity.

Climate change is already impacting nature globally as well as in Scotland. In Scotland 49% of our national species are declining in numbers. In fact, the State of Nature Scotland Report 2019 found that 11% of Scottish species were in danger of extinction. The threat to biodiversity by climate change is expected to increase, with changing climactic conditions and extreme weather events.

But a functioning and thriving nature also absorbs and stores carbon, which can help reduce the impacts of climate change. Since human activity will always create some emissions, we can’t achieve net zero without nature absorbing the carbon dioxide we can’t avoid.  

Scotland's nature is also a key asset in attracting visitors. There are great opportunities to engage visitors to learn more about our nature, help protect it and enjoy it in a responsible way.  

3. Nature-based solutions and net zero

Nature-based solutions can play a key role in achieving net zero. They help increase the Earth’s natural ability to breakdown, absorb, and store carbon from the atmosphere. Not all nature-based solutions have a direct link to climate change but here are some examples that do:  

• restoration of peatland
• restoration of wetlands and seagrass beds
• preservation and restoration of forests
• developing green infrastructure, for example a network of green spaces, such as green roofs, green streets, parks, permeable paving