Environmental groups seek meeting with ministers over £5m cut to nature fund

A coalition of environmental groups is calling for an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government after money was cut from a fund to restore nature and tackle climate change.

Money from the nature restoration fund is being redirected towards local government pay awards as ministers in Edinburgh try to find savings across Government departments.

Now 12 organisations, including some of Scotland’s best-known nature charities, say they are “highly concerned” about the impact this will have.

Organised through Scottish Environment Link, the letter has been sent to acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin.

It said: “In light of reports that funding committed to the Nature Restoration Fund has been cut, we request that you urgently meet leaders from Scotland’s environmental NGOs to discuss this issue.

“You will understand that there is a high degree of concern over the impact of this cut as well as the Government’s ongoing commitment to nature restoration. We are also highly concerned that we have learned about this news through media reports.

“We would appreciate that you treat this meeting request with an appropriate degree of urgency.”

Signatories include the heads of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland (RZSS), RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

A sum of £5 million has been redirected from the nature restoration fund – a pot of money which supports projects tackling climate change and nature loss.

The RZSS said the move has sparked concerns about the Government’s commitment to restoring nature.

The charity said: “We are dismayed that the Scottish Government has cut £5 million from the Nature Restoration Fund, which has been a lifeline for projects across the country to help tackle biodiversity loss for a relatively modest outlay.

“Our concern is that this could indicate a drop in commitment from the Scottish Government towards nature restoration.”

Earlier, a Scottish Government spokesman said Finance Secretary Shona Robison had been clear about the “painful choices” which lie ahead as the Government tries to balance the books.

The spokesman said: “Protecting and restoring our natural environment is key to addressing the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, and nearly £40 million has already been distributed through the nature restoration fund since 2021.

“While capital funding of £5 million from this year’s nature restoration fund has been redirected to fund the pay offer, it will be replaced in future years.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said on Tuesday: “The Scottish Government meets regularly with environmental NGOs and will be responding to their request shortly.

“Protecting and restoring our natural environment is key to addressing the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, and nearly £40 million has already been distributed through the Nature Restoration Fund since 2021.

“While capital funding of £5 million from this year’s Nature Restoration Fund has been redirected to fund the pay offer, it will be replaced in future years.

“We have been clear that we are taking on significant additional financial pressure to fund the local government pay offer, and the Finance Secretary has been clear that painful choices have had to be made.

“We know the vital role local government employees play in delivering local services which are valued by the public. This pay offer demonstrates just how much we value these workers too.

“It will provide an above-inflation pay increase for all council employees and ensure the most support is focused on the lowest paid. Ministers hope that members of GMB, Unison and Unite will vote to accept it.”