With vast natural resources and world-leading targets, the country is well-placed to lead the global energy transition. However, as large-scale developments ramp up, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, questions are growing about the impact on the natural environment.
Recently, a multi-billion-pound investment in renewable energy infrastructure required to bring Scotland’s renewable projects to life, which includes critical grid infrastructure, such as overhead pylons and substations, as well as proposals for pumped storage hydro projects, wind farms and battery storage facilities, has come under intense scrutiny by the local communities in the Highland and Islands.
These sorts of developments are vital for the delivery of net zero but unlike England and Wales, where a national biodiversity metric enforces a 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG), Scotland has opted for a more flexible, policy-led approach. While this avoids some of the pitfalls of rigid compliance, it risks introducing uncertainty for planners, developers and communities.
Designing a metric that works for Scotland
The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, introduced in February 2025, seeks to enhance nature and protect biodiversity through, amongst other measures, the introduction of legally binding targets to improve biodiversity. The Bill is 'framework' legislation with the crucial detail and metrics being set by Scottish Ministers at a later date, after the Bill is passed. The devil will, of course, be in the detail of these metrics.
Recognising the uncertainty caused by having no common metric, the Scottish Government also commissioned NatureScot to adapt England’s Biodiversity Metric 4.0 to develop a Scottish Biodiversity Metric to support NPF4’s implementation. It is a welcome step – but success depends on developing a purpose-built, not repurposed, metric.
The need for greater clarity is clear, but that doesn’t mean adopting a one-size-fits-all model.
A workable Scottish metric would support progress without creating unnecessary barriers. It must provide a level of standardisation across planning authorities to reduce inconsistency, while remaining adaptable enough to account for local conditions – particularly in rural and island communities where both development challenges and ecological priorities may differ. It should also be proportionate – ensuring biodiversity enhancements are meaningful but achievable, especially on complex or remote sites.
This kind of metric should give developers greater certainty over what is expected, while equipping planners with consistent tools to assess proposals.
Crucially, any future guidance must reflect that biodiversity and clean energy are not competing priorities. Wind farms, solar arrays, hydro schemes and grid upgrades are essential to Scotland’s net zero targets. When done well, these projects can also protect Scotland’s environment. However, poorly aligned biodiversity requirements could delay the very developments needed to cut emissions and strengthen our energy security.
Structured flexibility is key. Without it, Scotland risks fragmented outcomes, inconsistent decision-making and potential delays to vital infrastructure.
A clear path forward
Scotland’s net zero ambitions depend on the timely delivery of complex infrastructure – much of it in sensitive natural environments. A pragmatic biodiversity metric can bridge the gap between providing the certainty developers need while ensuring that environmental outcomes are properly assessed and delivered.
By taking this approach, Scotland can lead the way in integrating nature recovery with climate action – not by compromising on either, but by planning for both.
This article was originally published in The Herald, read the original article here.
