Professor Roger Crofts FRSE
Convenor Community of Interest on Environment, Royal Society of Edinburgh
Roger Crofts began his career as an academic geographical scientist specialising in mapping and assessment of natural resources in Scotland.
Roger spent most of his working career as a government adviser and administrator in the Scottish Government and as founder CEO of Scottish Natural Heritage. In retirement, Roger works internationally, in Iceland and in Scotland. His areas of special interest and expertise are governance, strategic planning and implementation in charities; protecting nature, including geoconservation; and advocating more environmentally effective use and management of land and natural resources. He has written and spoken widely about these areas.
Roger was secretary to the RSE Inquiry into Energy Issues for Scotland and the RSE Committee of Inquiry into the Future of Scotland’s Hills and Islands. More recently, he chaired the RSE’s Brexit and the Environment Working Group 2018-20 which produced a well-received advisory paper. He has contributed to RSE consultation responses and gave the Peter Wilson Lecture in 2018.
Roger’s work has been recognised by numerous awards internationally, in the UK and in Scotland from national governments, universities, and professional institutions.
Involved in
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Resources
As agricultural land is lost to development and competing demands, there is an urgent need for coordinated action. Roger Crofts argues why Scotland must prioritise food security in land use decisions amid rising pressures from development, forestry, and climate change.
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Resources
Four experts argue that the UK must shift from treating nature as expendable to recognising it as our life support system. Drawing on recent climate warnings, they outline why transformational, nature-centred change is essential for resilient food systems, healthier communities, and a secure future.
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Resources
Finding solutions to the interlinked crises in biodiversity, food, water, health, and climate change.
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Resources
This discussion examines who wins and who loses when we decide how Scotland’s land is used?
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Resources
Scotland is demanding so many uses from its land that conflicts are inevitable. This piece offers a means of trying to resolve the conflicts.
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Resources
Roger Crofts urges the Scottish Government to consider this within the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill, highlighting potential pathways.
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Advice Papers
The Bill represents a key step toward embedding nature recovery targets in law, placing new responsibilities on the Scottish Government to deliver on its environmental commitments. The RSE’s response emphasises the importance of clear delivery plans, accountability, and alignment with broader land use and policy frameworks to ensure Scotland can effectively tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
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Advice Papers
The RSE has responded to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and raises concerns with several aspects of the Bill.
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Advice Papers
The RSE emphasises the crucial role of agriculture in delivering public goods and services, such as biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
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Advice Papers
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has prepared a submission to the Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform Committee's call for evidence on the environmental aspects of the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill.
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Advice Papers
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance in Scotland post-Brexit.
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Events
Who wins and who loses when we decide how Scotland’s land is used?
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Events
Join our hybrid talk as experts explore how Scotland’s cities can become fairer, greener, and better for people and the planet.
