Ecology Strategy and Action Plan gets green light

At today’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee (Thursday 14 November) Members have adopted an ambitious action plan to tackle biodiversity loss and support a nature-positive Highland. 

The Council’s Ecology Strategy and Action Plan Strategy sets out and defines a series of key actions and activities that will assist the Council to deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss and start to address the ecological emergency for the benefit of its environment, economy, and communities.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans very much welcomed the commitment to put the environment at the heart of future decision-making processes. 

He said: “The purpose of the Ecology Strategy is to set out and define a series of key actions and activities that will help the Council deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss 

“Key to going forward is having a proactive approach and a long-term vision with the ability to overcome challenges. We cannot continue a “Business as Usual approach” – significant changes are necessary across the Council to integrate biodiversity measures into all our operations and services

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took part in our consultation – individuals who engaged with the portal we used to capture their comments, community councils who took part in a dedicated on-line session, partnership agencies including High Life Highland, NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, and other members of the Highland Environment Forum and everyone, including members, who participated in the workshops that were held. 

Biodiversity is one of Highland’s greatest economic assets, contributing over £17 billion annually to Scotland’s economy. 

Councillor Gowans added: “Embracing the ‘green economy’ and fostering new green industries is essential. Through leadership and exemplary action, we can drive transformative efforts to address biodiversity loss in Highland.” 

The actions identified in the Action Plan concentrate on the three key areas 

These are: 
•    the management of the Council’s estate 
•    influencing others through policy and regulation 
•    working in partnership with communities and stakeholders 

The Strategy recognises that the ecological emergency is a constantly evolving issue, and the Strategy will be kept as a live and agile document. Actions will be regularly reviewed in order to adapt to new or revised threats, incorporate new actions and activities, and consider new and emerging opportunities and projects to drive forward our response to the ecological emergency.
 
Members noted the positive response to the public consultation and then went on to approve the Strategy and associated actions.