Our biodiversity duty report details the range of initiatives that we've undertaken over the last three years, to protect and enhance biodiversity – and to meet our biodiversity duty.
A duty to look after nature
Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, all public bodies have a duty to further the conservation of biodiversity, while carrying out their responsibilities.
The duty is aimed at connecting people and their environment. It's not just about protecting specific sites or species; it includes how we manage biodiversity in the wider environment. This might be through planning policy, while purchasing supplies, and by raising awareness about the importance of a high quality environment.
Biodiversity is life
Biodiversity is a fundamental part of our everyday lives. It affects our health, wellbeing and wealth, and provides us with food, fuel and many other vital services. It enriches our lives and is part of our history and culture.
Pressures such as habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, climate change and invasive non-native species mean we are losing biodiversity. As a result, action is required to protect and restore biodiversity locally and nationally.
The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced a requirement for all public bodies to report on their compliance with the biodiversity duty every three years.
To find out more about the biodiversity duty and read other reports, visit Biodiversity Scotland.
For more information on partnership conservation projects, see our Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan.