Our Vision and Strategy

The vision of the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital, as approved by the Steering Group, is supported by its member organisations from public, private and voluntary sectors and the research and education community.

The vision of the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital is of:

  • A Scotland in which all parts of society, including companies, NGOs, the Government, public bodies and communities, recognise our reliance on natural capital and the impact we have on it.
  • A Scotland in which an understanding of our relationship with natural capital leads to action to protect and rebuild it.
  • A Scotland which is exercising leadership to galvanise action both here and beyond Scotland’s borders.

In this section

Strategic Framework

  • Impact through Policy & Legislation
  • Impact through Knowledge & Innovation
  • Impact through Catalysing Action

Strategic Aims

Impact through Policy and Legislation – Strategic Aim 1

  • 1.1 Scotland has a policy framework informed by natural capital thinking, including the use of appropriate business incentives and penalties.
  • 1.2 The Scottish Government’s expectations in relation to natural capital, as expressed in the Government Economic Strategy, Programme for Government and the National Performance Framework, are understood across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
  • 1.3 Scotland’s natural capital risks and trends are routinely monitored by a composite of indicators, including the Natural Capital Asset Index, as an integral part of the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework.

Impact through Knowledge and Innovation – Strategic Aim 2

  • 2.1 Stakeholders from Scotland’s public, private and voluntary sectors are using and actively shaping natural capital research in Scotland.
  • 2.2 Decisions in Scotland’s public, private and voluntary sectors are informed by leading natural capital research and practice from Scotland and around the world.
  • 2.3 Scotland has a dynamic and successful natural capital innovation programme, engaging a variety of sectors, leading to new approaches to protecting and enhancing natural capital.

Impact through Catalysing Action – Strategic Aim 3

  • 3.1 Action to protect and enhance natural capital is championed by a wide range of stakeholders from Scotland’s public, private and voluntary sectors
  • 3.2 Collaboration is leading to increasing investment in Scotland’s natural capital.
  • 3.3 Natural capital related initiatives (e.g. Natural Capital Protocol, Natural Capital Declaration) are widely adopted within Scotland.

Strategic Outcomes

The Scottish Forum will work towards five Strategic Outcomes:

Natural Capital & Scotland’s Peatlands
  • Healthy peatlands locking away carbon, filtering water, protecting against floods and supporting biodiversity
Natural Capital & Scotland’s Green Infrastructure
  • Resilient green infrastructure supporting healthy and happy communities, benefiting biodiversity and strengthening the economy
Natural Capital & Scotland’s Land
  • Sustainably managed land delivering multiple benefits for people, the environment and the economy
Natural Capital & Scotland’s Seas
  • Healthy seas providing sustainable food and energy, locking away carbon, supporting biodiversity and boosting tourism
Natural Capital & the Circular Economy
  • A circular economy, eliminating waste, saving natural resources and improving the bottom line for business

Logic model

As an outcome from a Strategy Session held for steering group members in 2020, the Scottish Forum has created a logic model that provides an up-to-date, and refreshed guide for future strategic direction.