Scotland's Wildlife – an assessment of biodiversity in 20

11.4 Progress with Scotland’s 2010 biodiversity targets
In May 2006 the European Commission released a Communication which set out an
ambitious policy approach to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. In particular
‘Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond’ provided an EU Action Plan
which proposed concrete measures and outlined the responsibilities of EU institutions
and Member States, respectively. It also specified indicators to monitor progress, and a
timetable for evaluations. It spelt out what needs to be done to halt biodiversity loss in
the EU and to meet the international commitments to reduce biodiversity loss
worldwide. It also created an advisory mechanism to help decision-makers make better
use of existing knowledge. Specifically the Communication expressed the 2010 target
through 10 priority objectives and a series of targets and actions. In addition the
communication listed 4 supporting measures and targets for monitoring, evaluation and
review. This EU Action Plan was used as the basis for setting out the relevant targets
for Scotland for 2010 and beyond.
Scotland’s 2010 biodiversity targets underpin the high level target to halt the loss of
biodiversity by 2010. Based on the European Biodiversity Action Plan framework and
adopted by the Scottish Biodiversity Committee in March 2008, eight priority objectives,
four supporting measures and 37 targets for action have been specified for Scotland.
At the end of 2010 progress against the 37 targets is detailed in Annex 2 and
summarised as follows:
Status of actions
Progress at end
of 2010
on target green 22
room for improvement amber 9
not on target red 6
22 actions (59%) were on target, e.g. ‘principal pollutant pressures on terrestrial and
freshwater biodiversity substantially reduced by 2010’. Regulations to control point
source pollution from industry and diffuse pollution from agriculture are implemented
by SEPA.
9 targets (24%) had room for improvement, e.g. ‘climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures’. Recently-introduced legislation and action plans will help to
address this but will take time to deliver significant action on the ground.
6 actions (16%) were not on target, e.g. ‘reducing the impact of invasive non-native
species’: 14% of non-native species had increased in range while only 2% had
decreased.
Exception reporting on the 6 ’red’ targets is given below:
Resilience of protected areas network: Progress with bringing protected sites into
favourable condition slowed, but action is being taken to address this through
Scotland’s Rural Development Programme.
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