Scotland's natural environment is worth £17bn annually

Scotland’s natural environment is an economic asset worth more than £17bn and supports one in seven jobs, the Government’s advisory body said.

Scottish Natural Heritage said the nation’s environment should be valued not just for its own sake, but because it generates wealth and can sustain and improve health, lifestyles and culture.

SNH unveiled its three-year strategy today, with a goal of encouraging more people to experience, enjoy and value nature and landscapes, and for the natural environment to contribute more to the Scottish economy.

The body, which advises the Scottish Government on the great outdoors, said its priorities over the next three years would include supporting the Holyrood administration in marine planning and identification of marine protected areas to improve environmental quality and guide decision-making for marine development.

“Protected places will maintain and enhance Scotland’s best nature and landscapes, and deliver wider benefits for the local economy, jobs and tourism,” it said.

In a week where wild land concerns went head-to-head with renewable energy policy in the Allt Duine windfarm application hearing, SNH said priorities include helping to halt biodiversity loss in Scotland, using nature more to help adapt to the effects of climate change, and providing valuable advice for the developing renewable energy sector.

SNH did not object to RWE npower renewables’ plan for 31 turbines on the Monadhliath Mountains, just outside the Cairngorms National Park boundary.

Andrew Thin, SNH chairman, said: “Scotland’s health and prosperity depend on the quality of our nature and landscapes.

“It is crucial that we use this resource wisely and make sure we secure maximum public benefits from it in a sustainable way. The strategy sets out how SNH, as part of a smaller public sector, will work with others to deliver the Government’s outcomes.”

SNH’s strategy says: “We continue to support the management of Scotland’s national parks as places to trial and develop innovative approaches to sustainable management of natural assets.”