In the Guardian today:
The government’s wildlife watchdog for England is failing to save nature because it has stopped giving protection to rare wildlife and habitats, according to a new report.
No new sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) have been designated by Natural England since 2023. SSSIs are nationally or internationally important places for rare wildlife and habitats. Without the designation, endangered species can be at risk of being lost to development.
One potential SSSI in Thurrock earmarked by Natural England as an important site for future protection has had a planning application approved on it and will now be built over.
How has Scotland been doing on this important issue?
Scotland has 1,422 SSSIs covering approximately 1,011,000 hectares or 12.6% of its land area (above mean low water springs). This is significantly higher proportional coverage than England’s ~7.1%.
However, when we look at the proportion of that land which is effectively protected to meet the 30×30 standard, set at COP15 (Montreal), that areas must demonstrate good ecological condition, resilience to pressures (like climate change or invasives), and effective management—not just legal protection, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_by_30), the gap is far wider.
All of Scotland’s 12.6% meeting the standard but only 2.83% in England. https://www.wcl.org.uk/assets/uploads/0/WCL_04_30x30Report2025_DIGITAL.pdf
So, Scotland has designated and effectively protected more than 4 times as much land in sites of special scientific interest, than England
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Talking-up Scotland 
Thanks John. This is the sort of thing SNP really needs to do some ads about as well. I have been messaging them on Bluesky asking them to at least talk about Labour’s and indeed all BritNat parties’ terrible legacy and neglect in Scotland..it’s a long list. I was remembering about bridge tolls, and prescription charges…people do not realise what they have and what they will definitetly lose should any form of BritNat parties take control of Scotalnd in May…and word has it they could do that!
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Scotland has a ‘right to roam’. The land can be used by walkers, tourists etc. Tourism brings £Billions into Scotland. Golf & sports etc. Visitors to Edinburgh, Glasgow and other cities. Scotland has some of the best scenery in the world.
More land has been brought back into use by buy backs. After the Clearances cleared people of the land to US and Canada. People had to leave Scotland because of higher unemployment under Westminster policies. £10 passage to Australia.
EU membership used to support land use. Farmers received subsidies to preserve nature and natural habitats.
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