“You may well be familiar with the vibrant garden centre and nursery sector of horticulture. Yet, Environmental Horticulture is central to so much else that people do. Urban green space and the landscaping skills that it requires is a burgeoning sector. Urban biodiversity and climate change mitigation is central to the future of our planet, and on a personal level green space affects our daily health and wellbeing.
“I believe that horticulture businesses make a vital contribution to our economy. Scotland has the heritage, and the further educational establishments to develop the skills to exploit this opportunity and need.
“The Scottish Environmental Horticultural industry is making a difference now and, working alongside the Scottish Government and wider Parliament, can do so much more in the future for Scotland. And I invite you to engage with this ambition.”
With over 1 million regular gardeners in Scotland and millions more utilising green spaces, our industry has a positive impact on people’s lives and has huge potential to go further. Local growers produce iconic Scottish plants and trees such as Primula scotica and Yew, and many key industry businesses are based here.
Our industry contributes to jobs across Scotland, including in some of the most rural areas, and has a part to play in delivering the ambitions of Scotland’s Rural Development Programme to support rural businesses and protect the environment.
As recognised through Green Health Partnerships, we can harness the power of the natural environment as a health-promoting asset. The weekly use of a domestic garden is estimated to be worth between £171 and £575 per person* in terms of its physical and mental health benefits. Studies have shown this includes: recovery from illness, physical activity, weight impact, birth outcomes, cardiovascular, mental and social health consequences.
Data shows the UK horticulture industry is facing a potential shortage in labour supply that could limit the industry’s capacity to grow. If these shortfalls remain at current levels then the cost to the UK’s economy is projected to be £1.4 billion per year in lost direct GDP contributions by 2030.*
Scotland’s new Biodiversity Strategy embraces nature-based solutions, where the horticultural sector has been leading. Air quality is the largest risk to urban health in Europe, with between 87-93% of people exposed to unacceptably high annual PM2.5 concentrations (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres). In the UK, over 80% of us live in urban areas. Trees for example, can remove some harmful air pollution such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).*
NPF4 – Scotland’s new national planning framework – places sustainability at its heart and outlines an ambition to protect and enhance biodiversity, create new habitats, improve health through more growing and allotment space, and improve environmental connectivity. Scotland’s horticultural sector has a significant contribution to make to helping deliver these ambitions across the country.
This Growth Strategy led by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) aims to promote Scotland’s Environmental Horticulture and Gardening Industry, and ensure it has a robust and sustainable future.
* REFERENCES AND SOURCES
Susana Mourato et al., “Economic analysis of cultural services” (UK NEA Economic Analysis Executive Summary, 2010).
Variations in monetary estimates for the value of a healthy year of life (qualityadjusted life year, or QALY). www.nhsforest.org/
The Economic impact of Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping in the UK, Oxford Economics 2018.
How the Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping industry underwrites the 25 Year Environment Plan. www.hta.org.uk/policy/unlocking-green-growth