What's New

Valuing our Environment: The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Natural Environment

SNH recently published new research on the economic impact of Scotland’s Natural Environment.

• The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Natural Environment
• Valuing our Environment

Key findings

The natural environment is one of Scotland’s greatest assets, making a major contribution to economic growth and quality of life. The key findings from the research are:

- sustainable use of Scotland’s natural environment is worth £17.2 billion per year which is 11% of Scottish economic output
- this supports 242,000 jobs which is 1 in 7 of all full-time jobs in Scotland
- 66% of businesses say the environment benefits their business

The research also identifies wider benefits for the economy including branding, health and well-being, ecosystem services and the role of the environment in attracting people to live and work in Scotland.

The work was commissioned by a partnership led by SNH and consisting of Scottish Government, Forestry Commission, Scottish Enterprise, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Environment Link.