Written Question · S7W-04061 · Session 7
In light of concerns raised by Environmental Standards Scotland in its letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns raised by Environmental Standards Scotland in its letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs on 24 August 2026, what steps it is taking to ensure that the agency's scrutiny and feedback on biodiversity targets, which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026, is not constrained by the proximity of parliamentary dissolution.
The answer
I recognise the concerns raised by Environmental Standards Scotland regarding the potential impact of parliamentary timetables on opportunities for effective scrutiny of major environmental policy proposals.In developing biodiversity targets under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026, the Scottish Government is supporting scrutiny and engagement throughout the policy development process, rather than relying solely on the formal parliamentary stage. This includes ongoing engagement with Environmental Standards Scotland, alongside statutory consultation and wider stakeholder input.The Scottish Government will continue to engage constructively with Environmental Standards Scotland to help ensure that biodiversity targets are robust, evidence-based and informed by independent scrutiny.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S7W-04061 by reference.