Scottish Parliament votes to create law obliging large landowners to publish plans on boosting biodiversity
The Scottish Parliament has taken a major step towards a rewilding nation, with the passing of a new bill that will require landowners of large landholdings to set out how they are boosting biodiversity.
The new law, which is part of the Land Reform Bill, was proposed in Parliament by Ariane Burgess, Scottish Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands, and received cross-party support.
This change was championed by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, which has been campaigning for this measure as part of its Rewilding Nation campaign, supported by thousands of people across Scotland.
According to Steve Micklewright, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Trees for Life, the passing of this bill is a key step towards Scotland becoming the world’s first Rewilding Nation.
He stated, “How land is managed is a key part of tackling climate breakdown and reversing biodiversity loss – and in Scotland, where land ownership is highly concentrated, large landholdings have a key role in repairing Scotland’s ecosystems.”
The new law will require landowners of landholdings over 1,000 hectares to set out how they are boosting biodiversity, as well as adapting to climate breakdown. They will also have to lay out how they are complying with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, complying with the code of practice on deer management, and contributing towards net-zero emissions.
This is a significant step towards achieving the Scottish Government’s goal of protecting at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. However, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance believes that the government needs to be more ambitious and provide support and funding to enable large landowners to restore biodiversity and take upscaled action to ensure ecosystem health.
While celebrating this success, the Alliance is also calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation and bring in bold legislation to support rewilding.
The Rewilding Nation campaign, which has been backed by thousands of people from all walks of life across Scotland, has received public backing from Scottish actors Brian Cox and Alan Cumming, Scottish musician Nathan Evans, Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, and activists Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) and Somhairle.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance’s Pathway to a Rewilding Nation lays out a clear vision for a wilder, fairer future for Scotland. Political parties are being asked by rewilding campaigners across the country to put rewilding in their manifestos ahead of the 2026 elections.
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