Reducing Environmental Impacts at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Abstract

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has put the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis at the centre of its organisational strategy and is making changes to reduce the environmental impact of its activities and to adapt to the conditions created by changes in climate. This article looks at actions towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the physical boundaries of the four gardens of RBGE in Scotland. The article considers two areas. Firstly, the Horticultural sphere, including the reduction of the impacts on the environment made by horticultural practice to maintain the gardens, and adaptation of the landscapes to improve visitor access and the biodiversity benefits of plantings. Secondly, influencing behaviour and engaging visitors with respect to growing food and the enjoyment of being with plants for health and wellbeing. In both these areas, RBGE activities are contributing to targets within SDGs 11, 12, 13 and 15. These targets, the actions to realise them and subsequent outcomes are described below. Finally, a major project underway at the Garden which will significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the institution, the Edinburgh Biomes, is introduced.