SNH’s Policies and Strategies

Our policies are the basis for our advice to government and to other public bodies. Policies develop a forward view of how new developments might affect the natural heritage and set out our approach and the principles that we will adopt in our work on relevant issues.

From this page you can access information on:

Corporate Strategy 2008-13

Our new Corporate Strategy 2008-13 sets out our strategic priorities for the next five years and our thinking as to why we have arrived at these.  There are five strategic priorities:

• Caring for nature
• Responding to climate change
• Delivering health and well-being
• Supporting the Scottish economy
• Delivering a high quality public service

We have renewed our Corporate Strategy to reflect changes in the strategic direction for SNH including the wider public policy agenda and the objectives of Scottish Government. The Strategy sets out the outcomes we want to achieve and the broad actions proposed for delivering them. 

Early in 2008 SNH consulted in public on a draft of this Strategy.  You can download an analysis of the responses (size 39KB) from this site.  SNH is indebted to those who responded and has taken note of that comment in the process of finalising the Corporate Strategy.

For further information please contact Mary Christie, Strategy & Communications Manager, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW , tel 01738 458657.

A new Corporate Plan 2008-11 has also been developed for the immediate three year period which describes in more detail the various programmes of work to deliver these priorities and how we plan to resource these.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Corporate Strategy and Plan

In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, SNH has undertaken a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed new Corporate Strategy and Plan.   Following screening and scoping stages, an Environmental Report was prepared.  SNH consulted the public on this at the same time as on the draft Corporate Strategy.  In finalising the Corporate Strategy, SNH has considered comments made on the Environmental Report alongside those on the draft Corporate Strategy.  Our SEA Adoption Statement (size 163 Kb, ) details how we have taken comments on both into account in finalising the Corporate Strategy.

We have also updated the Environmental Report (size  617 KB, ) to take account of amendments made in finalising the Corporate Strategy.

For further information, please contact: Mary Christie

SNH Climate Change Action Plan

One of the priorities in SNH’s new Corporate Strategy is Responding to Climate Change, specifically to understand the effects of climate change and help to deliver the contribution that the natural heritage can make to limiting it and adapting to it. SNH is now preparing an Action Plan for the next 5 years to deliver this Priority.

SNH is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed Climate Change Action Plan. At screening stage, SNH has determined that the Plan has the potential to bring about significant environmental impacts – see the statement of determination.

For further information, please contact Martin Gaywood, John Baxter or Mary Christie.

Policy Summaries

Set out brief statements on our vision for the natural heritage, our priorities and objectives and the basis for our own actions and for the advice that we offer others.

Policy Statements

Provide longer statements of some SNH policies, some of which are available in printed form.

Natural Heritage Futures Programme

This sets out our long-term goals for the natural heritage based on sustainable use. The programme provides an overview of the main habitats, species and other natural heritage features that characterise Scotland, and explores national and local variations. The Programme provides information on what is ‘distinctive about the natural heritage in different parts of Scotland and identifies clear objectives and actions required to achieve our vision in the light of current trends.

Scottish Natural Heritage is preparing an Update to the Natural Heritage Futures suite of documents that were published in 2002. As part of the 2008 Update, for each of the prospectuses a statement has been produced that identifies significant changes in policy drivers or legislative context, new mechanisms or changed priorities and the implications these have for the objectives and actions for the natural heritage.  Each should be read in conjunction with the original documents.

• Natural Heritage Futures Update 2008 consultation

In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, SNH has undertaken a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed Update. Following screening and scoping stages, an Environmental Report has been prepared

We would welcome comments on the Natural Heritage Futures Update 2008 and the accompanying Environmental Report by 14th January 2009

European and International Influencing Strategy (size 261KB)

This sets out how we intend to achieve Corporate Strategy priorities and programmes through influencing policies at the European and International level that affect the natural heritage of Scotland.

Review of SNH Recreational Policies

SNH has now updated its 1994 policy statement on 'Enjoying the Outdoors'. Further information on this statement and other reviews of related policies on Rangers, Country and Regional Parks and Paths (including Long Distance Routes) can be found here.