CIEEM publishes response to the Call for evidence on Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill

CIEEM has responded to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee call for views on the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced by the Scottish Government on the 19th of February 2025. Our response can be found in our Resource Hub.

This CIEEM news item on the Natural Environment Bill gives details of the 4 key parts of the bill which cover statutory biodiversity targets, deer management and National Parks, but also potentially sweeping powers to change the key environmental protections in the EIA and Habitats Regulations. It is this latter area (Part 2) of the Bill that we have been actively scrutinising and have most concern over.

We have been working closely with Scottish Environment LINK partners who have drafted a letter to Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon MSP, outlining our concerns and we are collectively drafting amendments to what is laid out in the Bill. CIEEM will be represented by our Vice-President (Scotland), Dr Caroline McParland, at a committee evidence session on Wednesday the 21st of May. You can watch that session on scottishparliament.tv

Join our free webinar on Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill Thursday the 15th of May which will cover the contents of the draft bill and include a panel discussion and audience Q&A.