National Parks: Investing in Scotland’s Natural Environment

That the Parliament notes the Scottish Government’s confirmation that it remains committed to designating at least one new national park by 2026; recognises what it sees as the enormous contribution made by Scotland’s existing two national parks, in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, since their creation; believes that the existing national parks provide outstanding opportunities for people across Scotland to enjoy the outdoors, including people from the Lothian region; considers that national parks deliver important land management and planning functions to benefit local communities, including supporting the provision of affordable housing; understands that the existing national parks have attracted inward investment to rural areas and provide grant support to local businesses; considers that national parks play a key role in taking forward the actions needed to meet Scotland’s climate ambitions and restore biodiversity; extends support to each of the five areas seeking to be Scotland’s next national park, and looks forward to the announcement of Scotland’s newest national park in the current parliamentary session.