Nature

Nature-based solutions can help tackle environmental challenges. Low carbon farming and green infrastructure can cut emissions. Planting forests, restoring peatlands and protecting coastal ecosystems can help store more carbon.

Nature helps us to predict the future

Hear from Juan, an ecologist based in the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh.

His job puts him at nature's front door. What makes it so essential to in our journey to net zero is his ability to predict failures in our environment by studying nature.

Watch his video to learn more.

Your prospects in a nature-based career

As the industry grows in response to net zero, there will be new roles to fill. An ageing workforce means companies are looking for fresh talent. You may be able to bring the green skills employers want.

If you'd like a job that lets you be outdoors, this could be the ideal sector for you. In many roles, your working day will involve being in Scotland's beautiful landscapes.

With companies of all sizes, there are many opportunities to develop transferable skills.

New job opportunities

Jobs in this industry grew more than five times faster than all jobs in Scotland between 2015 and 2019. It's expected this trend will continue until 2030. This includes areas such as blue carbon, woodland planting and restoration and peatland restoration.

More investment in the Woodland Carbon Code will also create new opportunities to help achieve Scotland's net zero target. You might also find new opportunities in:

crop and animal production
aquaculture
finance and green finance
urban green infrastructure
tourism
sustainable tourism
urban greenscaping
integrated land management

How to break into the nature industry

Now, let’s look at how you can get involved with the agriculture and land use industry.

Apprenticeships

Modern Apprenticeships are available to both young people and adults. They involve learning on the job at the same time as gaining a qualification and bringing home a wage.

There are apprenticeships available to help you step into a career in agriculture and land use, such as:

agriculture
aquaculture
management
technical
trees and timber
horticulture
rural studies

Apprenticeships.scot has a wide range of opportunities for you to explore.

Volunteering and specialist qualifications

Volunteering can help you get a job. Some companies will give you training to improve your job prospects. Some great places to look for volunteering opportunities are Nature Scot, Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.

Volunteering keeps you at the forefront of employers’ minds when they have a job vacancy. Formal qualifications are not needed for some jobs as experience is just as valuable.

Through college or university

Scotland's universities and colleges boast a large range of courses in nature-based subjects. These range from NC, HNC and HND through to undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

The University of the Highlands and Islands use the area's unique environment. There are many nature-based courses including agriculture, forestry and water management.

Scotland's Rural College has hundreds of courses across more than 20 areas. These courses can give you the skills and knowledge needed to build a strong career.

Green courses in nature

SkillSeeder is an online resource which allows you to match a skill you’d like to learn with a training provider.

For more information about these job roles and courses, visit Lantra Scotland's careers page.

Further information

Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing our national forests and land.

To learn about the countryside in more detail, visit Countryside Learning Scotland. For information on sustainable forestry, check out Scottish Forestry.

Nature Scot presents the actions they're taking in response to Scotland's climate emergency.

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