Good morning reader,

Agriculture and food security are central themes at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which commenced on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Scotland will be represented by Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, as she participates in ongoing global discussions on climate action.

In other news, an investigation has been launched after a dead golden eagle was discovered on a forestry track off the A81 near Loch Rusky, northeast of Port of Monteith. This incident has raised concerns about wildlife protection in the region.

Also, Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, announced an extension of the consultation period regarding the proposal to designate Galloway as a National Park. This extension provides more time for public input on the potential national park status.

Additionally, the UK introduced a new international initiative to safeguard and restore nature on a global scale. As part of this commitment, the UK aims to conserve 30% of its land by 2030. This strategy was unveiled on October 29 during the COP16 biodiversity conference in Colombia, underscoring the UK's dedication to addressing biodiversity loss.