Highland Council signs Edinburgh Declaration at meeting with Nature Scot to tackle "full-scale nature crisis"
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Highland Council’s commitment to tackle the climate and ecological emergency has been underlined.
Senior figures at the local authority have met NatureScot chief executive Francesca Osowska.
Council leader Raymond Bremner signed the Edinburgh Declaration on behalf of the local authority following a recommendation by members at the inaugural climate change committee.
The Edinburgh Declaration sets out the aspirations and commitments of the members of the international community, the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Process Partners, and the wider sub-national community working in biodiversity in delivering for nature over the coming decade.
Representatives also discussed how the council and NatureScot can work effectively together to prevent further biodiversity loss in the Highlands and share information about work already ongoing.
The talks focused mainly on the work they are already doing and will need to do to address biodiversity issues.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Councillor Bremner said: “It was a privilege to have signed the Edinburgh Declaration on behalf of Highland Council.
“By signing this agreement, the council has reinforced its existing commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.
“It will also ensure the continued provision of the nature services on which we all depend, the delivery of net zero targets and allow us to tackle and adapt to a rapidly changing climate.”
Ms Osowska said: “The Highlands is a beautiful and special place, and it is crucial we continue to build on the work – such as peatland restoration, tree regeneration and much more – to protect and restore nature throughout the region.”
She added: “With a 24 per cent decline in nature over the last 30 years, we are in a full-scale nature crisis. We also know that we are facing a climate emergency.
“These crises are linked and by tackling one, we tackle both.
“The good news is how much we can do to make a difference; in fact, nature-based solutions make up 40 per cent of Scotland’s net zero journey.
“It’s vital that all of Scotland – from local authorities like Highland Council to corporations, small businesses, land managers, non-government organisations and communities and citizens – comes together for us to have a chance of meeting global biodiversity targets.”
