Scotland's biodiversity strategy, Scotland's Biodiversity: It's in Your Hands, was published in 2004 and sets out how the government will conserve biodiversity for the health, enjoyment and wellbeing of the people of Scotland now and in the future. The strategy sets out our aim of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 and of Scotland being recognised as a world leader in biodiversity by 2030.
Delivery of the Strategy is the responsibility of a partnership of the Scottish Government, government agencies, NDPBs, local government and non-governmental organisations. More information on the delivery structures, biodiversity in Scotland and the delivery partners are available on the Biodiversity Forum website.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 requires the government to report on progress with the strategy every three years. The latest progress report was published in December 2007 and highlights how public bodies have complied with their duty to further the cause of biodiversity. An implementation plan for 2008-10 is currently undergoing Strategic Environmental Assessment by Scottish Natural Heritage.
To help deliver the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy, Scotland is split into 25 local biodiversity plan areas. Each area has a local plan to stimulate effective local action for priorities identified in the UK plan, as well as for species and habitats which are particularly cherished or valued in local areas of Scotland.