Climate/Biodiversity

Impact of the industrial forestry sector in Scotland

We have published a series of papers examining the impacts of the industrial forestry sector in Scotland.

This photo captures a breathtaking view of a lush green valley nestled between two mountain ranges. The scene is expansive, with rolling hills and steep slopes stretching into the distance. At the center of the valley is a serene lake, reflecting the sky above and shaped somewhat like an elongated teardrop. Above, the sky is partly cloudy, with streaks of sunlight breaking through, adding contrast and depth to the landscape. In the foreground, near the bottom center of the image, stands a lone person dressed in a bright red jacket, providing a sense of scale and highlighting the vastness of the landscape. The person is facing away from the camera, seemingly taking in the natural beauty that surrounds them. The area around them is covered in lush green grass and rocky terrain, dotted with tufts of wildflowers or white seed heads. The overall mood of the image is peaceful, awe-inspiring, and reflective.

Biodiversity and community owned land in Scotland – an analysis by UHI

The Centre of Mountain Studies at the University of Highlands and Islands has produced a report on how to measure biodiversity on community-owned land.

Introducing Scotland’s Natural Capital Community Partnerships: Building Fairer, Stronger Connections

Ross Wilson, Finance Adviser for the Natural Capital Community Partnerships project, shares a blog about this exciting new project.

Natural capital in the South of Scotland

One of our Board members, Grace Murray from Stow Community Trust, writes about the natural capital potential in the South of Scotland.

Amendment to our Scotsman opinion piece – 31st October 2024

In an opinion piece in The Scotsman our Policy Manager Josh Doble commented about land value uplifts on Highlands Rewilding estates, these comments have been retracted with a full explanation below.

Natural capital markets in Scotland are at a crossroads

This article was published as an opinion piece by The Scotsman on 31st October 2024: How ‘Green Lairds’ with dreams of vast profits are pricing out local Highland communities.

Guest blog: Is the private financing of rewilding a threat to community empowerment?

We are delighted to share a guest blog from Dr Caitlin Hafferty, University of Oxford who shares some of her recent research on communities and the nature finance markets.

A photo of the River Tarras following through trees in the lower Tarras valley with the sun behind

Let’s re-embrace Dùthchas as we rewild and repeople

A joint opinion piece from Ailsa Raeburn, Community Land Scotland and Kevin Cumming, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.

Beyond community benefit – a new deal for thriving communities

This paper proposes a transformational system of new community partnership agreements to ensure community priorities are included from the earliest stage of new economic developments.

Landmark decision paves the way for the Knocknagael charity to take the Scottish Government owned green field at Knocknagael into community ownership

Following a detailed and lengthy process, an independent panel has recommended that the original decision to refuse the asset transfer be overturned, subject to a number of conditions, and Scottish Government ministers have accepted this recommendation.

The Credibility Gap for Green Finance

This research and analysis critiques the ‘green finance gap’. Written by Jon Hollingdale, an independent forestry and land use consultant and researcher, who has worked in Scottish community forestry since 1999.

Post-Monopoly Rural Land Ownership: four case studies

Community Land Scotland has published research by Professor Mike Danson on the impact of community land ownership in locations which were previously under monopoly ownership.