The Scottish Government's decision to redirect funds from the Nature Restoration Fund to settle local government pay disputes has sparked significant controversy.

Ministers have directed councils to allocate £5 million from this year's £29.2m fund, intended for vital conservation projects, towards meeting the revised pay offer for local authority workers.

The government claims this reallocation is a necessary step to address immediate financial pressures, with the promise that the diverted funds will be replenished in future years.

The Nature Restoration Fund, shared between local councils and NatureScot, finances projects aimed at combating Scotland's nature emergency, such as tree planting and waterway restoration.

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Scotland faces a biodiversity crisis, with one in nine species threatened with extinction due to long-term habitat loss. Environmental groups and opposition politicians have criticised the government's move as short-sighted, claiming that it will have detrimental effects on both biodiversity and climate action.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, labelled the decision as ‘desperately bad news’, emphasising that Scotland is already ‘one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world’. She stressed that the Nature Restoration Fund has been essential in supporting projects that benefit biodiversity, the economy, and public well-being.

Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Greens' environment spokesman, warned that diverting funds from initiatives like wetland restoration could increase vulnerability to flooding, illustrating the connection of climate and nature emergencies.

Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary, called the reallocation ‘alarming’, highlighting the risk it poses to species conservation. Scottish Labour's Sarah Boyack accused the SNP government of economic mismanagement, while Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton described the funding cut as a ‘short-sighted move’ during a nature emergency.

Ruth Ashton-Shaw, member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network Scotland and a farmer from Dumfries and Galloway, said: "It's crucial that funding for nature restoration isn't redirected. This money should be ring-fenced to safeguard Scotland's environment and support our economy. 

"Our natural landscapes are already under significant pressure. Diverting these funds now will only worsen the situation, leading to long-term consequences that could harm both our environment and agricultural livelihoods. 

"We need to invest in projects that protect our biodiversity, restore habitats, and combat climate change. I urge the government to reverse this decision and prioritise the long-term health of our natural resources. Failing to do so puts both our environment and our rural communities at risk."

Despite the backlash, the Scottish Government defended its decision, citing the need to support local government workers, who are crucial in delivering public services. They maintain that the redirection of funds was a painful but necessary choice, and they remain committed to addressing both nature loss and climate change in the long term.