Grow Our Future: in Scotland

We’ve got a chance to make a transformational change for nature in Scotland. The upcoming election in May 2026 is a key moment to do this. We need the next Scottish Government to step up and support farmers and crofters to farm in a nature-friendly way. 

Around three-quarters of Scotland's land is farmed. That puts enormous responsibility in the hands of those who work it.  Some farmers and crofters are leading the way and taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency. They’re restoring wildlife habitats, protecting water sources, and building climate resilience, all while producing food. We now need the Scottish Government to step up to help all farmers unite in this effort. 

Currently, just 5% of Scotland's farming budget directly supports nature friendly farming practices through targeted agri-environment schemes. That’s not enough. We need to see at least 25% of farm funding supporting nature-friendly farming. And more in the longer term. If this doesn’t change, we’ll pay the price: more struggling farmers, more wildlife disappearing, and more risk of flooding and drought. 

That’s why we’re demanding that politicians dedicate at least 25% of Scotland’s farm funding to nature-friendly farming now, and increase over time.  

We’re in an urgent situation. The nature and climate emergency demands immediate action.  

More funding for nature-friendly farming won’t just help nature. It can also help make sure we can feed ourselves sustainably, even when the world gets unpredictable. It also means positive change for farmers and crofters.  

Past government policy and changing farming methods have contributed to declines in farmland wildlife over many years. Farming is also the third biggest source of climate emissions in Scotland. It doesn’t have to be like this. Nature-friendly farming means producing food in ways that work in balance with nature and the environment. By properly funding nature-friendly farming, government can help farmers manage the land in ways that are positive for nature. This means government using its farming budget to invest more in the Agri-Environment-Climate Scheme, organic farming and advice and training for farmers, amongst other things. 

We know that nature-friendly farming works, and some farmers and crofters are showing this. For example, Corn Buntings have been brought back from the brink of extinction in Fife and Angus. Nature-friendly farming can support a healthy environment, healthy economy, and healthy people. Pollinators and healthy soils are also fundamental to healthy, sustainable food production.

Reducing costly inputs, such as pesticides and fertilisers is not just good for nature, it can improve farm profitability too. And on a wider scale, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions to help tackle climate change, provides flood protection and reduces water pollution. 

Properly funding nature-friendly farming is also a great way to secure the future of Scotland's wildlife. Scotland is a stronghold for farmland birds such as Curlews, Lapwings, Corn Buntings, Dunlins, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and Redshanks. Almost all the UK’s Corncrakes are found here – a species that came close to UK extinction in the 1990s.  

But their future is not secure. We’ve lost more than half of Scotland’s Lapwings and Curlews and a third of our Oystercatchers since the 1990s.  

By investing in nature-friendly farming, we’re also supporting the future of Scotland’s wildlife, Scotland’s farmers and crofters, and all of us.