We are the Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ)
It’s the right place, we have the right people and it’s the right time for the South of Scotland.
The South of Scotland is leading the way in natural capital innovation. Officially designated as Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ) by the Deputy First Minister in October 2024, this region is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative change for people, nature, and the economy.
What is the NCIZ?
The Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ) is a nationally recognised region spanning Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, established to accelerate solutions to the twin global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
The NCIZ is a catalyst for:
• Innovative natural capital projects
• Responsible and sustainable investment
• Collaborative partnerships
• Scalable solutions that deliver a wellbeing economy
Whether you're a business, investor, researcher, or community organisation, the NCIZ offers a fertile environment to grow ideas, test innovations, and deliver impact.
Any business or organisation who would like to explore opportunities in the South of Scotland, should get in touch.
Your journey starts here. Let’s shape the future together.
What makes the South of Scotland the NCIZ?
The South of Scotland is the NCIZ because of its unrivalled natural and economic assets, including:
• Abundant natural capital – from peatlands and forests to rivers and coastlines
• Rich coastal and marine ecosystems
• Internationally recognised dark skies
• Thriving agriculture and forestry sectors
• Breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty
• Strong cross-sector partnerships
• A bold, entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation
Together, these strengths make the South of Scotland a living laboratory and learning hub for nature-based solutions and a launchpad for sustainable growth and knowledge sharing.
be part of the nciz movement
If you’re doing great things in the South of Scotland, you’re already part of the NCIZ. Show your pride and commitment to innovation and sustainability.
It is time to drive forward the wellbeing economy for Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world.
Lift-Off in the South: Growing Scotland’s Space Sector
The South of Scotland is stepping confidently into the future as Scotland’s next engine room for space enabled innovation. While national momentum builds, with launch capabilities emerging across Space Ports in the Highlands, Glasgow recognised globally for its leadership in satellite manufacturing, and Edinburgh advancing as a powerhouse in Earth Observation (EO) data and AI analytics, the South of Scotland brings something unique and strategically vital to the national space ecosystem.
As home to Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ), South of Scotland Enterprise’s (SOSE) Natural Capital Team is establishing the region as the place where downstream space data meets real-world environmental challenges and transformation. Our landscapes, biodiversity, peatlands, woodlands, and coastlines offer unparalleled testbeds for innovation, making this the ideal location to design, validate and scale solutions that protect and restore natural capital while enabling new economic opportunities. Our role as the NCIZ establishes the South of Scotland as a living lab and learning hub which will catalyse our entrepreneurial approach whilst upskilling our workforce and young people.
By harnessing EO insights, AI, environmental intelligence, and advanced monitoring technologies, we aim to identify where our region can become more climate resilient, where ecosystems can deliver greater carbon sequestration, and where new green businesses can emerge. This is a space sector with purpose - one that promotes environmental stewardship, climate innovation, and sustainable prosperity.
Our 2026 Plan for Space Sector Growth in the South of Scotland
Within the Natural Capital Innovation Zone we will:
- Develop a regional platform integrating EO data for biodiversity, climate change and land use management, to optimise investment and Nature based Solutions.
- Embed the use and development of Space Innovation by piloting EO driven peatland, woodland, saltmarsh and seagrass restoration models. This work builds on the Space Innovation Call of 2025/6 and supports the validation of commercial tools.
- Support businesses and communities in the use of EO tools for natural capital enhancement and management.
- Partner with national space initiatives to ensure the South plays a key role in Scotland’s launch strategy, supply chain, and downstream data pipeline.
- Promote international collaboration and investment by positioning the South as the UK’s leading region for nature-based space innovation.
Now is the moment for businesses, innovators, and investors to be part of something transformational. The South of Scotland offers unparalleled natural assets, a national mandate for innovation, and a growing sector ready to scale breakthrough solutions. If your business is exploring Earth Observation, AI, natural capital markets, restoration technologies or climate resilient land management, there is no better place to grow. We cannot do all this on our own, we need your help to make this a reality.
Join us in shaping Scotland’s future space economy right here in the South of Scotland, where innovation enhances our natural world and creates new opportunities for generations to come.
Email our Space Delivery Lead: Campbell.Young@sose.scot
Download your official ‘We’re part of the NCIZ’ Badge
If you are a business or organisation who is proud to be doing great things in the South of Scotland, you’re part of the NCIZ! Download your badge below to display on your website, social media channels and documents.
We are proud of being the NCIZ and you should be too!
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