If you would like to find out more about these projects and/or the issues discussed in this NATURE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH booklet, please contact Lloyd Austin, Head of Conservation Policy, at RSPB Headquarters, contact details below. Investing in Scotland’s natural heritage RSPB SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND HEADQUARTERS Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP Tel: 0131 311 6500

EAST SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE 10 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB10 1YP Tel: 01224 624824 NORTH SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Etive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW Tel: 01463 715000 SOUTH AND WEST SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE 10 Park Quadrant, G3 6BS Tel: 0141 331 0993

RSPB Scotland is part of the RSPB, the UK charity that speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our world. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way. We belong to BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations. www.rspb.org.uk

Front cover image by Alan Lauder (rspb-images.com) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: and no 207076, Scotland no SC037654 780-0858-07-08 Alan Lauder

Investing in Environmental action Scotland’s future and economic growth

‘My thirty years experience of working in Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Scotland has reinforced my belief that its ‘In recent years, we have begun to break Scotland's natural heritage is one of our future prospects are constrained by the biggest assets. Already, Scotland's natural state of its environment. In contrast to its the link between economic development and landscapes and wildlife provide the valued and beautiful remote landscapes, backdrop for a number of our industries, too many businesses and communities are environmental damage. Now, we must go much including food, drink and tourism. handicapped by the impoverished environment which characterises much of further.We must see environmental investment as a Like any other asset, however, it requires Scotland. investment to realise its true potential. catalyst for economic development. Nature and Sustainable Growth outlines A new vision for planning is required if we why we must invest in our natural assets; are to achieve sustainable development how this can be achieved; and details away from a reliance on regulation to one This booklet makes the case. supported by examples superb examples of what has been which is action oriented. There is a need to achieved elsewhere. shift the focus on the environment to from across Europe, for greater public investment in positive action to realise the economic and Scotland is already falling behind, in social benefit of creating green networks, Scotland’s natural assets. Such investment makes comparison with elsewhere, in grasping restoring lost habitats and removing these opportunities. Also, we may not economic and environmental sense.’ have much choice but to address the issue, inherited dereliction. given the growing impact of climate To achieve these environmental benefits change and past development with its requires a fresh approach which requires Stuart Housden, Director, resulting dramatic loss of habitats and the provision of a ‘green infrastructure’ in RSPB Scotland wildlife. all major planned development, thereby making a major contribution to driving We hope that this booklet can provide a forward the renaissance of Scotland.’ backdrop to the debate about how Scotland can achieve truly sustainable development. Vincent Goodstadt Manager, Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Committee (1996-2006)

RSPB Inner Clyde reserve, near Erskine

2 3 Mark Hamblin(rspb-images.com)

Why invest in natural assets? Why is this important for Scotland now?

• A high quality environment, rich in biodiversity, supports economic regeneration by The time is right! Current policy challenges and recently adopted laws create attracting inward investment, improving land values and attracting visitors1. opportunities for a fresh approach: • Richness of biodiversity and a variety of natural species are closely linked to our • Climate change requires urgent action – investment in and coastal cultural heritage, and well-loved by Scots and visitors alike. realignment can help us adapt6. • High-tech companies want to be associated with ‘pristine’ environments and • The new Flood Risks Directive places more emphasis on ‘soft engineering’ solutions –

places which attract high-calibre employees2. eg using natural floodplains and wetlands to store water7. • Functioning ecosystems – notably water resources – are needed to support • Some major investments are already being planned – eg in Glasgow & Clyde Valley – economic activity and greater species diversity3. initiatives like the ‘green network’ have potential, but habitat creation/restoration • Physical well-being is increasingly linked to access to a high quality natural opportunities are being missed, requiring the necessary investment. environment4. • restoration that enhances biodiversity along the Clyde could be a legacy of • Scotland is rich in natural assets – lack of investment means they are not achieving the 2014 Commonwealth Games. all they could for society. • The Cities Growth Fund and other investment programmes could support large-scale • Investing in natural capital is the right thing to do – we have a moral duty to leave a nature restoration initiatives as part of the growth strategy. high quality environment, rich in biodiversity, for future generations. • New funding sources (eg Scottish Rural Development Programme, new Regional • Restoring and sustaining natural habitats helps us to adapt to the impacts of Funds, CAP funds post 2008) offer opportunities to look again at how Scotland climate change. invests capital. • Well-targeted investment in natural assets delivers good value to the public purse5. • Our competitors, elsewhere in the UK and Europe, are already investing heavily, and on a large scale, for environmental renewal.

‘Building sustainable growth is at the heart of the Scottish Government's aspirations for 21st century Scotland and the Highlands and Islands have a key role to play. At Highlands and Islands Enterprise, we recognise that the abundance of nature in our part of Scotland already makes a great contribution to a sustainable tourism industry, as an attractor of new residents and new businesses and potentially as a huge source of renewable energy activity.’

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Sandy Brady, Director of Strategy, Highlands & Islands Enterprise

Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve helps protect communities from flooding Physical wellbeing is increasingly linked to access to a high quality natural environment Coastal realignment at RSPB reserve develops intertidal habitat and contributes to alleviating sea level rise

1 Economic impacts of protecting rivers, trails and greenway corridors – a resource book (1995) Ray Murray 6 Seas of Change (RSPB) and Time for a Change (RSPB) 2 For example, Lifescan in the Highlands & Islands, Nokia in Finland 7 See RSPB Scotland briefing at www.rspb.org.uk/scotland 3 Nature for water – protecting water-related ecosystems for sustainable development – United National Economic Commission for Europe. See also www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/economicdevelopment/waterframework.asp. Unravelling the web - the global value of wild nature (RSPB/Birdlife International) 5 4 Natural Fit – can biodiversity and green spaces increase levels of physical activity? Dr William Bird (www.rspb.org.uk/policy/health) endorsed by the Faculty of Public Health www.fph.org.uk 5 See case studies from Denmark and the Netherlands Lars.S.Madsen (Alamy)Lars.S.Madsen Andy Hay(rspb-images.com)

Investing in Europe’s natural heritage England – Dearne Valley South Yorkshire is blighted by its image A socio-economic appraisal of the project The projects outlined here demonstrate what can happen when public authorities as a run-down industrial centre – a study by Sheffield Hallam University notes that: recognise the value of nature, act with vision at a large scale and commit capital for the regeneration agencies concluded ‘Economic impacts may be direct [16 FTE funds for the long-term. As well as improving ecosystem services – such as clean that without significant improvement to jobs at the reserve, excluding construction water – projects should deliver significant biodiversity benefits, although some of both the environment and social jobs] or indirect [up to 15 local jobs these may be harder to value in monetary terms. conditions of the area economic supported within 5 years]… However, there development would be seriously are less quantifiable effects such as on Some of the projects described here have been subjected to full cost-benefit hindered. environmental quality, PR and profile, and analysis, but assessment of non-market environmental benefits (such as the The RSPB is leading a programme of the desirability to live, work, or aesthetic, social and mental health benefits of a high quality environment) is still in environmental restoration and importantly, to invest in the area. Difficult its infancy.This means that in many cases the full range of benefits are not fully improvement in the Dearne Valley, in to determine, these may be more valued. Despite this, these examples show how economic, social and environmental partnership with local development significant and more deeply acting than the immediate and the obvious’. policy objectives can be achieved by restoring and improving wildlife habitats. agencies, which is central to the Specific investment opportunities of this kind exist in Scotland today – some of re-branding of the area. Experience in the Dearne Valley and at these are outlined at the end of this booklet. Focused on the 75 hectare RSPB Old Rainham Marshes in the Thames Estuary – Moor nature reserve and a network of where RSPB is part of the Thames Gateway linked sites, the creation of high quality regeneration initiative11 – shows that these Amsterdam. Created on land reclaimed as Restoring wetlands, creating green networks Netherlands – National natural habitats and visitor facilities in projects offer amenities for local people, recently as 1968, the area is now Ecological Network this blighted industrial landscape has attract tens of thousands of visitors, internationally recognised as an important attracted nature-based leisure and provide educational opportunities and Denmark – Skjern river The area of open countryside in the wetland – home to an array of birdlife, tourism spend to the area, and is having have a lasting effect on the transformation A densely populated country, where much of the land is used intensively, Denmark’s Netherlands halved between 1900 and wild horses, deer and cattle. Here, people a lasting effect on the area’s appeal for of the landscape, supporting wider environment has suffered over the years. The Danish government embarked on a major 1990. What remained had become can experience – close to one of Europe’s other businesses and house-buyers. economic and social regeneration. nature restoration programme in 2002, including transforming 2,200 hectares around the fragmented and damaged. The Dutch main cities – what Europe’s riverbanks Skjern river, Denmark’s largest. What was once a canalised watercourse surrounded by landscape is now being transformed and deltas are thought to have looked intensive agriculture has been restored to its natural profile, in a valley with pastures and through the creation of a National like before man’s intervention. Ecological Network (NEN), a series of shallow lakes. Early evaluation of the NEN, taking ‘The Old Moor wetlands centre has demonstrated that it is possible to deliver restored and newly created spaces for A cost benefit analysis of the project looked at the range of benefits it offers to society – account of ecosystem services – such as green infrastructure, enhance wildlife populations and conserve natural nature. Ultimately the combined core from crops produced on riverside farmland and reedbeds, to ecosystem services clean water and absorption of carbon areas, corridors and buffer zones will cover resources while offering jobs, education and recreational opportunities to (retention of nutrients, flood risk reduction), outdoor recreation opportunities (hiking, dioxide – as well as recreational value, some 730,000 hectares – 17% of the local people…The benefits from investing in wildlife and places such as the boating, wildlife watching, angling, hunting) and the intrinsic value of biological the health and other benefits of an country’s land area – by 2018. Old Moor centre are manifold. We need to convince all in Government that diversity8. improved natural environment, suggests The spectacular Oostvaardersplassen It concludes that ‘even the most conservative estimate demonstrates that the Skjern River there will be a good long term return on that is the right path to take.’ nature reserve is part of the project – a project turns out to be clearly beneficial for society’ – generating €32.1m worth of investment9. 5,600ha wetland just 20 miles from Jeff Ennis MP, Barnsley East & Mexborough net benefits’.

8 Cost-benefit analysis of the Skjern river restoration in Denmark Dubgaard A, Kallesøe M F, 9 www.grazingnetworks.nl/ecological-networks. Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality – Natuur en 11 www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/thamesgateway.asp Ladenburg J, Petersen M L (2003) – Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, landschap op waarde geschat Department of Economics and Natural Resources, Copenhagen 7 Blickwinkel/Ziese (Alamy) Matthew Cook(RSPB)

Wales – Newport Wetlands Germany – River Elbe On the northern shore of the Severn An ambitious programme in this heavily industrialised part of Germany set out to tackle Estuary, RSPB Newport Wetlands reserve decades of decline in the biodiversity of the Elbe, one of Europe’s largest rivers. The has been created on 439 hectares of land project aimed to restore a vast 15,000 hectares of wetland – 80% of the original formerly used as storage lagoons for spent floodplain area had been cut off by dykes. fuel ash from the neighbouring Uskmouth A cost-benefit assessment of this project11 indicated that the value of the benefits in power station, and farmland. The terms of water quality improvement and species conservation alone were €162-278m restoration of the site was compensation per year. This does not take account of wider benefits – such as prevention of (under the EU Habitats Directive) for the downstream flooding, amenity and recreational value – which the Danish Skjern River loss of the Cardiff Bay mudflats when the project suggests can be significant. Taff River was barraged at its estuary. The Elbe and Skjern river projects show how action required by the Water Framework Recognising the potential to create an Directive and the new Flood Risks Directive could, if approached the right way, achieve a important asset for the area, land three wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits for communities in Scotland. times the area lost has been restored to create reedbeds, lowland wet grassland and saline lagoons, where avocets have already started to breed. A partnership of RSPB, Countryside Council for Wales, Germany – Ruhr Valley Newport City Council and other public The Emscher Landscape Park, in the Ruhr Valley, is transforming some 450 sq km at the agencies10, supported by EU Objective 2 heart of Germany’s industrial landscape. This ambitious initiative, now entering its third funding and the Welsh Assembly decade, is central to the regional government’s vision for the economic regeneration of Government’s Regeneration Fund, has the area. invested over £10m in enhancing the The restoration of the heavily polluted Emscher river – which flows through the region natural assets. A visitor and environmental from East to West – is central to the vision and has been a catalyst for the education centre is now being built – due transformation of the wider area into an attractive place to live, work and invest. Some to open in 2008 – with a further £3m of 80 km of the river’s length is being restored, creating a ‘green backbone’ which has funding support from the project partners become a symbol of the region’s ecological recovery. The new Emscher river valley and Carron Energy, who operate includes 1,470 hectares of water/wetland, 5,570 hectares of greenspace, as well as Uskmouth power station. The site, just 3 4,900 hectares of farmland and 2,400 hectares of forestry. miles from Newport city centre, already The network of green spaces within the valley and across the wider Landscape Park attracted 18,000 visitors in 2006, and this area have been opened up for public enjoyment through 580 km of new cycle paths and number is expected to triple once the walking trails. visitor centre opens, drawing both locals and people from Cardiff, Bristol, Swindon This visionary project has involved 20 towns, three counties and their local and beyond. communities. It shows what can be achieved on a vast scale through bold decision- making and long-term funding.

10 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/newportwetlands/index.asp 11 The restoration of floodplains along the river Elbe Working Paper on Management in Environmental Planning – Meyerhoff J, Denhardt A (2004) 9 BirdLife Birdlife

New approaches to rural development Norway – Aurland Spain – Ebro Delta Modern farming threatened a spectacular The Ebro Delta is of one of the most landscape and a traditional way of life in important wetlands in the Western Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane, on Norway’s Mediterranean. It is also the main centre of mountainous west coast. Local farmers Catalonia’s farming industry, with rice responded by developing the traditional accounting for 50% of production. Around Underdal goat’s cheese – whose distinctive half of the delta is threatened by sea level flavour results from mountain pasture rise and erosion, and the lagoons suffer grazing on diverse plants – into a symbol of from agricultural pollution. the area. The cheese now has a strong A pioneering conservation project set up brand and local designation, and has been by conservation body SEO/Birdlife awarded a ‘Slow Food’ label. The product combines rice production with wetland supports the wider marketing of Aurland restoration and environmental education in based on its high quality environment, the Delta. A company, Riet Vell, was culture and culinary traditions. created to produce a commercial organic This initiative shows how conservation of a rice crop, while providing information and landscape and its rich ecology can act as a training to other local farmers to catalyst for diversification of the local encourage them to convert to organic and economy. Strong co-operation between extensive farming methods. The public are local farmers, food retailers, restaurants encouraged to visit and find out more and other local businesses has been key to about the delta, its ecology and organic its success. food production. Visitors come to see how the cheese and The rice is labour intensive to produce, but other local products are made, with tours due to its quality and marketing as a including an element of natural adventure, nature-friendly product it commands a culture, music and tasting. There have been higher market price. Riet Vell has also a range of other spin-offs, such as the developed an organic pasta product from Underdal cheese festival, linked to the wheat grown on the steppes of the Ebro movement of goats from spring to summer valley in Aragon. These projects show how pastures.12 conservation management can be combined with production of commercially Farmers are encouraged to convert to organic and extensive marketable ‘commodity’ crops. The Ebro Delta is one of the most important wetlands in the western Mediterranean methods in the Ebro Delta

12 For more information on this and other projects see www.euromountains.net

11 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) 13 Species like hen harriers benefit from restoration of industrial land and sensitive of industrial restoration benefit from hen harriers Species like floodplain management . By allowing natural 14 ‘As the extraction of coal may sometimes of coal may the extraction ‘As be seen as being in conflict with interests,environmental local between communities can be polarised on the mining industry those who rely concerned jobs and those who are for conflict. be environmental may that there closely together,By working agreed we immediate that not only could any be would but there conflicts be avoided maximise the long to opportunity a great and other benefits to environmental term the wider community, would which the mining had been continue long after completed.’ Coal Scottish Niall Crabb, Director, Marshes largest The management of Britain’s floodplain mire at in & Strathspey as an RSPB nature Badenoch reserve delivers a wide range of economic Visitor benefits. as well environmental spending and local tourism, agricultural activities, quality fishing, water education environmental improvements, and flood prevention all mean that the reserve makes a substantial contribution to the local economy flooding of the Spey, the need for hard flooding of the Spey, flood defences – estimated to cost of over and space is created £1m – is avoided, housing. elsewhere for much-needed , for recreation, and can help us 13 The potential for fisheries enhancement associated with managed realignment Colclough et al (2003) Conservation Works – Rayment M & Dickie I (2001) RSPB I (2001) M & Dickie – Rayment Works Conservation adapt to climate change. The managed adapt to climate change. realignment of coastal areas, piloted by shows what at Nigg Bay, RSPB Scotland to help manage could be done in our Firths on flooding. By allowing the sea to encroach areas where it will not damage communities and businesses, space can be created for housing and other development elsewhere. East Ayrshire coalfields East Ayrshire Ayrshire of East partnership A novel Council, conservation and coal industry has (www.ea-cei.org.uk) organisations worked a rural area together to improve has been the focus of decades which deep-mine and opencast coal extraction. More recently the area has experienced A range unemployment and de-population. and interpretation of environmental projects have encouraged local people to explore and take pride in their area, which, for example, has recently been recognised population for its internationally important This and other projects of hen harriers. of local people, show that the involvement stimulating their interest and a sense of pride is critical to regenerating These programmes could be communities. expanded with appropriate investment. Nigg Bay coasts areas around Scotland’s Inter-tidal are under increasing pressure from sea habitats for They are important level rise. wildlife, and protection restoration of to the shellfish these areas is also important industry 13 14 CSERGE working paper PA-04-01 Nature supporting development in Scotland where There are examples in Scotland projects have successfully environmental delivered economic and social outcomes. of these are outlined briefly here. Some These projects have been made possible by capital commitments from businesses, and public grants, charitable Lottery of public there is a lack funds. However, projects, despite money available for such the potential economic, social and gains. environmental natural companies use Scotland’s Many assets – stunning landscapes, clean water, totemic species – in their marketing, or are here because of our high to invest attracted funds could be Public quality environment. more corporate investment used to attract of these Some in the environment. examples point to how companies can get involved. Compared with the scale of other public programmes, the sums capital investment required to protect and enhance some of greatest natural assets are Scotland’s relatively modest, and the potential gains are substantial. 12 Drongan Cubs taking part in the Coalfields Environment Initiative in the Coalfields Environment Cubs taking part Drongan What are Scotland’s opportunities? Tips for success Location Opportunity Former coalfields and other Central Scotland Develop and expand the East Ayrshire Argyll Islands Ardnamurchan and Morvern. The initiative Examples both in Scotland and other parts of Europe highlight some elements which are brownfield sites Coalfields Environment Initiative approach A programme of heritage-based projects has brought new employment, enriched key to successful projects: Clyde Valley Wetland creation as part of the planned across Argyll has been under way since wildlife habitats and improved access to • Identify opportunities early – environmental improvements which enhance ecological networks/as a legacy of the 2000, co-ordinated by the Nádair Trust15. the forests. The contribution management biodiversity also create attractive places for people to invest, live and work. They Commonwealth Games The projects aim to protect, nurture and of the woodlands can make to the local should be integral to economic regeneration and development plans from the outset. promote all aspects of the local heritage, economy has been maximised – through • Involve the community – this helps create a sense of ownership and pride, which Firths and estuaries Managed realignment and wetland while enhancing the economic and social skills development, tourism and using leads to dynamism and economic spin-offs. restoration to help manage flood risk and wellbeing of local communities. An timber to support other business activities adapt to a changing climate • Think on a landscape scale – larger projects can deliver multiple benefits more easily, independent evaluation of the first phase of e.g. using timber for woodfuel, allowing for zoning to avoid conflicts between different uses (e.g. wildlife and Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Adapt the Argyll Islands approach to the project (2000-5)16 concluded that: ‘the boatbuilding, fencing, house construction recreation). Inner Hebrides development based around natural Nádair 1 programme has been successful and crafts.18 • Invest for the long term – once ecosystems are restored, they become largely self- heritage assets in generating a wide range of local impacts Forest across the Argyll islands in terms of supporting. Initial capital investment pays off long-term. River Tay Habitat restoration and nature-friendly employment, skills and learning, One of the largest native woodland • Deliver through partnership – most successful projects involve the public, voluntary reed production as a catalyst for wider networking and capacity building.’ restoration schemes in Europe is getting and private sectors and local communities working together. economic development under way in the Loch Lomond and The Forest restoration in the Trossachs National Park. RSPB Scotland is Strathspey National Park An urgent conservation project in pleased to be part of the Scottish Forest and has become a Alliance19, working with Forestry Creation of a national wetland for Scotland Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust What next? key part of the economic and social Flow country Complete the peatland restoration Scotland and BP, who have provided a development of the area – creating and The examples from Scotland and across Europe in this document show programme significant capital injection for the scheme. supporting local jobs, both directly and investment in environmental restoration as an integral part of social and indirectly through use of local contractors It is helping to deliver the environmental economic regeneration. We hope the above tips for success are grasped by and tourism. Central to the Peatland objectives of the National Park, while More examples of large-scale habitat restoration around the UK are featured on the Mark Hamblin(rspb-images.com) Management Strategy 2005-201517 is the supporting local jobs and creating new policymakers in Scotland, and that funding be made available to take full RSPB’s web site: philosophy that protection and restoration opportunities for recreation and learning advantage of the opportunities arising over the coming years. www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/managingreserves/casestudies/habitats/index.asp of this important landscape can go hand-in- close to the Central Belt. hand with supporting the needs of local Studies indicate that sustainably managed communities and the economy. forests offer a wide range of economic benefits. As well as creating and Sunart Oakwoods supporting jobs directly and in The Sunart Oakwoods Initiative is a broad- downstream processing, forests support based partnership working to restore the tourism and provide non-market benefits very special native oakwoods of such as recreation and carbon retention.20

15 www.nadair.org.uk 18 See www.sunartoakwoods.org.uk 16 Evaluation of the socio-economic outputs of Nadair Trust projects – Final report for HIE & 19 www.scottishforestalliance.org.uk SNH by HECLA consulting (2005) 20 Assessing the economic benefits of forestry in the UK – Dickie I, Rayment M (RSPB) rev 2001 17 The Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland – Management Strategy 2005-2015. www.snh.org.uk 15