Landowners stand ready and willing to help Scotland deliver a commitment to protect 30 per cent of the land and seas for nature by 2030 – but Scottish Land and Estates says that further detail will be required on the tools proposed by government to meet this ambitious goal.
Enhancing biodiversity, conservation and habitat restoration was the central focus of the 2025 Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) Annual Assembly, held recently.
Sponsored by Virgin Money, alongside Caledonian Climate, Savills, NatureScot, and Food Integrity Assurance, the event brought together land managers, conservation experts, and policymakers for a day of insight, discussion, and collaboration.
Amongst those addressing delegates was Dr Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action, and Brian Richardson, Head of Agriculture at Virgin Money UK.
One of the central talking points at the assembly was the role of ‘Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures’ (OECMs) in supporting Scotland’s commitment to protecting 30 per cent of its land for nature by 2030.
NatureScot are currently examining the implementation of OECMs in Scotland, which the IUCN describes as “geographically defined areas distinct from traditional protected areas but managed in ways that yield positive, sustained, and long-term outcomes for biodiversity conservation, including associated ecosystem functions.”
With around 300,000ha of land fully accredited by Wildlife Estates Scotland, WES members are ideally placed to meet the OECM criteria. WES has been actively working with NatureScot and the Scottish Government to explore the potential for WES-accredited estates to achieve OECM designation but said greater clarity is needed on how the balance of regulation and benefits to land-based businesses through the scheme would be achieved.
Miles Montgomerie, chair of Wildlife Estates Scotland, said, “OECMs offer an opportunity to formally recognise the outstanding conservation work already being carried out by private land managers across Scotland.
“WES-accredited estates have long been at the forefront of habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable land use. Achieving OECM status would provide well-earned recognition and additional incentives for estates that are actively contributing to Scotland’s ambitious conservation targets.
“Our rigorous assessment process already meets many of the key requirements for OECM designation. An opportunity exists for us to work closely with NatureScot to streamline the process, ensuring that WES members who have demonstrated best practices in land stewardship can seamlessly gain OECM recognition without unnecessary duplication of effort.
“What we would like to see is greater clarity on how OECM and WES will fit together, as well as ensuring that farmers and landowners who have already been going above and beyond for nature see tangible benefits from the scheme. Whether through enhanced funding opportunities, regulatory recognition, or increased public awareness of their conservation contributions, we must make sure that OECM status is an asset rather than an administrative burden to ensure its success in the long-term.”
Montgomerie concluded, “OECMs represent an exciting opportunity, and I am confident that our members will continue to lead the way in sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. The assembly has been a key step forward in our efforts to integrate WES-accredited estates into Scotland’s broader conservation framework. Our appreciation goes to Dr Allan, our sponsors, speakers and attendees for making the event so valuable.”
Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan said, “Achieving our 30 by 30 target will require new and innovative approaches to protecting and managing nature. In the face of a changing and more chaotic climate, we need to champion land-use such as WES-accredited estates, demonstrating their crucial role in adaptation and mitigation, and in ensuring sustainable growth and business resilience. Exemplars in land-use like this can deliver across multiple portfolios not just biodiversity and climate, but healthy sustainable food and produce, and delivering for health, recreation, and wellbeing.”