Natural Environment Bill

I have received a significant amount of correspondence from constituents asking for the Scottish Government to introduce legislation on the natural environment. I want to confirm that I share the concerns set out and will support the push to bring forward a Bill as soon as possible.

Scottish Labour supports the proposal to introduce statutory nature recovery targets. As we face the twin nature and climate crises; we believe introducing targets will galvanise the action needed to restore Scotland’s natural environment and help us to play a leadership role in encouraging other countries to take action.

I am disappointed that three years on from the Scottish Parliament election the SNP Scottish Government has not yet introduced a Bill on this area to Parliament.

My colleague, Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Just Transition, has written to the First Minister to seek confirmation that his Programme for Government in September will include plans for a Natural Environment Bill to introduce statutory nature recovery targets.

About

Born in Stornoway, brought up on the south shores of Loch Torridon in Wester Ross and now living in Inverness, Rhoda has experience of living in both rural and urban areas of the Highlands and Islands, giving her the knowledge to understand the various challenges faced by our communities.

Rhoda has worked in both the public and private sectors in the Highlands. Employed for a number of years with the public sector trade union Unison and The Highland Council, then as a Member of the Scottish Parliament between 1999 and 2003, then again from 2007.

Rhoda has held many Shadow Cabinet roles including Rural and Connectivity Cabinet Secretary, Shadow Women and Equalities Spokesperson, Shadow Health Minister, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shadow Minister for Economy, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice. She is currently the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform, Islands.