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

Our current Corporate Strategy (size 1.8Mb) sets out the context for our work and stated our overall goals and main priorities following its publication in 2003.

We are renewing 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 new Corporate Strategy, to be published in July 2008, will set out our strategic priorities and the actions for delivering them over the next 5 years or more.  Based on these priorities, a new Corporate Plan is being developed to include a more detailed Plan for the period 2008-2011.

SNH has consulted in public on the Draft Corporate Strategy 2008- (size 452KB) [Large print version ] 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 and is now 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.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Corporate Strategy and Plan

In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, SNH is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed new Corporate Strategy and Corporate Plan.   At a screening stage, SNH determined that the Strategy and Plan have the potential to bring about significant environmental impacts – see the statement of determination. 
Following a scoping stage, an Environmental Report (size 1.07MB) was prepared and SNH consulted the public at the same time as the draft Corporate Strategy consultation.  SNH is now considering comments on the Environmental Report alongside those on the draft 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.

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.