New figures reveal that it will take Scotland seven decades to achieve a 30% nature recovery target at the current rate.

Scotland on track to take 65 years before major nature restoration is underway across 30% of its land, according to a new report from the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. The coalition of more than 20 organizations has calculated that rewilding across Scotland is currently underway on just 2.5% of the country’s land, with 195,615 hectares already rewilded.

This is an increase of 32,985 hectares since the Alliance’s last assessment one year ago, which reported that only 2.1% of Scotland’s land was rewilded. At this rate, it will take until 2090 before Scotland reaches its goal of protecting 30% of its land and sea for nature by 2030, in line with global targets.

The surge in rewilding projects across Scotland is a positive sign, with nearly 200 projects now led by communities, charities, farmers, landowners, public bodies, and others. However, the Alliance states that a significant increase in political support is necessary to reach the target.

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is now taking the voices of thousands of supporters to parliamentarians by speaking with MSPs at a dedicated display stand in the Scottish Parliament this week. The Alliance is calling for Scotland to be declared the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with nature recovery across 30% of its land and sea.

“Urgent political action is needed,” said Steve Micklewright, Scottish Rewilding Alliance co-convenor and chief executive of Trees for Life. “Leaving it until 2090 before Scotland can benefit from nature recovery across 30% of its land is something we can’t afford. Politicians from all parties need to step up.”

The Alliance emphasizes that rewilding can help tackle the nature and climate emergencies while also benefiting health, jobs, sustainable food production, and re-peopling. It can also ensure clean air and water, as well as healthy rivers and seas.

To achieve the goal of rewilding 30% of Scotland, the Alliance suggests restoring habitats such as peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers, and seas while still maintaining and benefiting productive farmland.

Scotland is currently ranked as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. Research shows that intensive agriculture and climate breakdown are having the biggest impacts on habitats and wildlife, with other threats including non-native forestry, pollution, and introduced species.

Polling data shows that 80% of Scots believe the Scottish Government should have policies in place to support rewilding. However, rewilding is not yet included in the Government’s key policies and frameworks, such as the planning framework, net-zero plan, and biodiversity strategy.

There are concerns that planned legislation, including the Land Reform Bill, may not be as ambitious as originally planned when it comes to nature restoration. The Alliance also points out that levels of marine recovery are unknown due to government delays in ensuring effective Marine Protected Areas and a lack of support for large-scale marine restoration. Based on known rewilding projects, the total area of Scotland’s seas in recovery is believed to be dangerously low at less than 1%.

“With political leadership in line with its international commitments, Scotland could become a world leader in nature recovery – the opportunities and benefits are huge,” stated Karen Blackport, the Alliance’s co-convenor and chief executive of Bright Green Nature.

“Declaring Scotland a Rewilding Nation would lead to meaningful action with ministers committing to restoring the country’s natural environment through legislation and funding to enable rewilding and empower local communities.”

The Rewilding Nation Charter at www.rewild.scot/charter, which calls on the Government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, has been signed by thousands of people. The campaign has received support from high-profile names such as Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, actor Brian Cox, singer Nathan Evans, and activist Laura Young (Less Waste Laura).

At the display in the Scottish Parliament this week, MSPs will have the opportunity to sign the Rewilding Nation Charter, hear from constituents, and play a specially designed rewilding game that outlines the crucial importance of natural processes.