Work with stakeholders to complete a review of opportunities for increasing community participation in safeguarding marine biodiversity.
Objective 6: Take action on the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss
Priority Action 28. Engage and strengthen the connection between people and communities with nature.
Relevant inputs to this type of review include the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan consultation (2024–25), which gathered evidence on approaches to marine restoration delivery and highlighted the role of communities, NGOs, and local stakeholders in supporting marine nature recovery. The Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA) consultation process also provided evidence on public engagement, local involvement, and the importance of community understanding in marine protection measures.
This work sits alongside existing frameworks such as the National Marine Plan, which includes objectives for stakeholder engagement in marine management, and the Marine Protected Areas network, where community input is considered in site management discussions.
However, there is currently no evidence of a single published, standalone national review that consolidates all opportunities for community participation in marine biodiversity safeguarding; instead, evidence is being drawn from multiple ongoing consultation and policy processes.
This activity supports ecological outcomes indirectly by identifying ways to increase community involvement in marine stewardship, awareness, and participation in conservation activity.
Evidence from marine consultations (including HPMA and marine restoration policy development) shows that community engagement can improve understanding and support for marine protection measures, which can contribute to better compliance and local stewardship.
However, the ecological impact depends on whether the review leads to implemented participation mechanisms, and at present it remains a review and evidence-gathering exercise rather than a delivery programme.
Scottish Government – Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan consultation analysis
Scottish Government – Highly Protected Marine Areas consultation analysis
Develop a communication and engagement programme to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity and its links to climate change and the changes needed to ensure a just transition to a net zero and nature-positive Scotland.
Increase public connection and action for nature through expanding the reach of the Make Space for Nature campaign and develop a national nature volunteer and citizen science frameworks.
Encourage people’s connection to nature through local green spaces and other land managed for nature, supporting capacity-building projects.
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