A CREW project is calling for natural capital to be placed at the heart of River Basin Management Planning (RBMP) in Scotland, helping to better connect water management with climate resilience, biodiversity recovery, public health and sustainable land use.
The research, led by SAC Consulting, the University of Edinburgh and SRUC, explored how a catchment scale natural capital approach could strengthen Scotland’s fourth RBMP cycle (2027–2033). The project found that healthy rivers, wetlands, soils and woodlands underpin a wide range of ecosystem services, including clean water, flood protection, recreation, climate resilience and biodiversity.
Researchers highlighted the important role that nature-based solutions, such as wetland creation, river restoration, woodland planting and sustainable drainage systems, can play in improving the water environment while also delivering wider social, environmental and economic benefits. The findings show that many key Scottish sectors, including agriculture, forestry, tourism, aquaculture and food and drink production, rely heavily on healthy water ecosystems.
The project also identified the need for stronger evidence, improved monitoring frameworks and greater alignment between policy areas to support investment in nature restoration. Researchers emphasised that blending public and private finance will be essential to close the funding gap for large-scale ecosystem restoration.
By adopting a whole-catchment natural capital approach, the research suggests RBMP could help prioritise actions that deliver multiple benefits across Scotland’s landscapes and communities, while improving long-term resilience to climate change.
The project is already generating strong interest across policy, regulatory and stakeholder communities. Despite only being published recently, the findings are being shared through a SEPA blog, a SEPA lunchtime webinar, a briefing to the SEPA Board, an article in Farming and Water Scotland, and presentations to Scottish Wildlife Trust, and the Scottish Public Sector Natural Capital Network.
This early engagement reflects growing interest in how a natural capital approach could support more joined-up decision-making across water management, climate resilience, biodiversity and land use. Discussions are helping to identify practical next steps for embedding catchment-scale, nature-based approaches within future River Basin Management Planning and wider environmental policy.
CREW would like to thank the research team (SAC Consulting, the University of Edinburgh and SRUC) and the Project Steering Group (SEPA, NatureScot, Scottish Water and the Scottish Government) for their dedication and support to the project and in addressing this important issue.
View the full project outputs here.
Image credit: Lorna Cole
News author: Amy Cooper