Evidence and insights on Scotland’s land and its impact
The Scottish Land Commission’s work is grounded in evidence. Our research helps explain how land shapes Scotland’s economy, environment and communities and what can be done to make ownership and use fairer and more productive.
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Summary: Natural Capital and Land Reform: Next Steps for a Just Transition
Scotland is embarking on significant land use change to meet climate and nature goals. Land reform and wider changes to land, tax, and fiscal policy need to work in coordination to make this a just transition – one which will meet the needs and ambitions of Scotland’s people and put the economy in a stronger, more resilient position.
Land Focus: Option Agreements and the Housing Market
This discussion paper explores our latest commissioned research to better understand the case for improved transparency of option agreements and inform the delivery of NPF4.
Transparency of option agreement
The research aimed to help the Scottish Land Commission to understand how much or how little information is available on land optioned for housing development in Scotland.
Understanding the Benefits of Diversification in Ownership, Tenure, and Control
A more diverse pattern of land ownership, tenure and/or control would allow more people in Scotland to enjoy the associated rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. There is evidence to suggest that greater diversification of land ownership, tenure and control can stimulate wideranging economic, social and environmental benefits which will promote more inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Scotland over the years to come.
Land Focus: Land Governance
Land reform discussions often revolve around the relative importance of land ownership versus land use, but in practice both of these aspects interact and are equally important.
Review of France's SAFER Land Market Interventions
The French ‘SAFER’1 model regulates agricultural land in the public interest in France and is a key international model in this respect.
Land Governance Futures: Towards Common Relationships
Recognising the core role of land in meeting Scottish and global challenges in economic and climate systems change, the Scottish Land Commission and Dark Matter Labs have agreed to collaborate to explore options for different futures in land governance.
Rural Land Market Data Report 2020-2022
Analysis of land sales data 2020-2022.
Summary of Research and Recommendations
A summary of the key research and recommendations the Commission has made to address concentrated land ownership.
Response to the Call for Views on the Land Reform Bill issued by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Scottish Land Commission response to the Call for Views on the Land Reform Bill issued by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee 2024
Natural Resource Governance: Case Studies
Case studies compiled by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies: Eleanor Radcliffe, Sean Benstead, Charlie Murphy, Joseph Tupling, Naomi Mason
Rural Land Market Insights Report 2024
An overview of the rural land market in Scotland in 2023 exploring the main drivers in the market.
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