August 7th, 2020 by vhairiA new poll shows people in Scotland believe the Government should prioritise economic recovery measures that tackle climate change and enhance nature
A new poll released today shows three-quarters of people living in Scotland believe the Scottish Government should prioritise measures for a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The poll shows strong public support for measures that improve our quality of life, tackle climate change and enhance nature [1]. It also reveals that 76% of people in Scotland have become more aware of nature in their everyday life during the recent lockdown [2].
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of leading environmental charities, has welcomed the results which demonstrate strong support for green projects, including enhancement of Scotland’s nature through woodland expansion and restoration, peatland restoration and new high quality and accessible green spaces [3].
The poll results also highlight strong public support for initiatives to deliver nature-friendly farming and enhanced re-use and recycling enterprises [4], reflecting concerns about access to food and higher levels of plastic pollution that have been raised during lockdown.
Last year, the First Minister declared a climate emergency and recognised the equal importance of tackling the threats to nature [5].
As the coronavirus pandemic reached its peak in April, Scottish Ministers signalled their intention that the economic recovery from the pandemic should deliver positive outcomes for nature and climate change.
The charities are now calling for investment in ‘ready-to-go’ environmental projects to deliver these much-needed improvements to Scotland’s environment while creating new jobs and opportunities for traineeships.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK said: “The poll results highlight how important nature has been for the wellbeing of many of us during the recent lockdown, with people spending more time in their local environment. It also shows the great importance the public is placing on an economic recovery to the pandemic to lead us to a fairer, greener Scotland, with greater levels of support for an economic recovery that prioritises green projects. At Scottish Environment LINK we have been working with members to gather information about where rapid investment in on-the-ground projects could lead to better environmental outcomes benefitting us all.”
Some of the projects proposed, where the charities believe rapid investment could lead to vital environmental benefits, include peatland restoration, woodland restoration, new urban green spaces, improving access to healthy food and tackling plastic pollution.
Aedan Smith, Head of Policy and Advocacy for RSPB Scotland, said: “Scotland is home to globally important peatland habitats ranging from shallow blanket bogs to raised mires to the deep peats of Caithness and Sutherland – the largest area of blanket bog in Europe. A healthy peatland is an important carbon store and can also continually accumulate more stored carbon as well as providing homes for internationally important species of plants and wildlife. A damaged peatland by contrast emits carbon, supports fewer species and is unable to deliver key benefits like water management. Investing in peatland restoration brings all those environmental benefits, supports local communities, and is a natural way to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.”
Pete Ritchie, Executive Director of Nourish Scotland said: “The impact of Covid-19 has brought home the value of accessing nature in urban environments and has highlighted an increased demand for space to grow food. Along with more space for walking and cycling, we must reimagine our towns and cities as places in nature, with community supported food growing spaces threaded through our urban landscapes. Access to nature in everyday life should be there for everyone.”
Sarah Duley, Head of Food at Soil Association Scotland, said: “The impact of Covid-19 has highlighted more than ever the importance of a resilient food system. Consumers have shown that they value access to healthy, locally produced food. Scotland’s public sector now has an opportunity to lead the way in a green recovery that builds on this public appetite for change. Our work with local authorities through the Food for Life Scotland programme has shown us that serving fresh, sustainable school dinners is good for pupils’ health, good for local business, and good for the planet. By putting local, healthy food on the table in our schools, hospitals, and care homes, Scotland’s public sector can provide a stable market for Scottish food businesses, protect skilled jobs in the local area, and build lasting resilience into our food supply chains.”
Alistair Whyte, Head of Plantlife Scotland, said: “The Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest is developing a suite of collaborative, landscape-scale projects that restore and protect Scotland’s rainforests, an internationally important, yet often unknown habitat, unique to Scotland’s west coast. Restoring and expanding this habitat, which rivals tropical rainforest in terms of its species diversity and richness, is a fundamental step to increasing the potential of these woodlands to contribute to carbon sequestration; enhance its rich wildlife and cultural value; while at the same time providing welcome economic benefits to rural economies.”
Dr Maddy Berg, Project Manager for Fidra, said: “Fidra’s projects focus on tackling plastic and chemical pollution. Our Great Nurdle Hunt demonstrates the widespread nature of plastic pollution from the vast and expanding global plastics industry, with 87% beaches surveyed this year finding these plastic pellets. Our work on packaging shows everyday items like popcorn packets and polystyrene present risks to people and wildlife. Scotland’s seas are vital for people’s physical and mental wellbeing and a healthy planet, which is why we must stop using them as dumping grounds. Developing a circular economy is key to reducing waste, maximising reuse and plugging unnecessary leaks of plastic pollution such as nurdles, to protect these wild places for future generations.”
ENDS
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kirsty Nutt, Communications Manager, on 07711 385595 or kirsty.nutt@rspb.org.uk
or
Vhairi Tollan, Advocacy Manager for Scottish Environment LINK, on 07512 828004 or vhairi@scotlink.org
Notes
1. 76% of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘Government should prioritise economic recovery measures that improve our quality of life and tackle climate change and enhance nature.’
2. 76% of respondents said they had become more aware of nature during lockdown. 38% a lot more aware and only 4% not aware at all.
3. ‘Enhancement to Scotland’s nature through, for example, tree planting, peatland restoration, green spaces which are good for nature’ was ranked as ‘Very important’; half of respondents (49%) prioritised this as of ‘utmost importance’.
4. The importance of ‘Support for nature friendly farming’ was scored 4.07/5 and the importance of ‘Support for re-use and recycling enterprises’ was scored 4.22/5.
5. In 2019, the First Minister declared a “climate emergency” and recognised the equal importance of tackling the interlinked threats to nature. (FM letter to Scottish Environment LINK).
6. The poll was undertaken by ScotPulse in July 2020. The full results are summarised below.
• 76% of respondents said they had become more aware of nature during lockdown. 38% a lot more aware and only 4% not aware at all.
• 76% of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘Government should prioritise economic recovery measures that improve our quality of life and tackle climate change and enhance nature.’ When looking at 16-34-year olds this was 83%. Only 8% disagreed.
• 76% agreed with the statement “If Government provides support for sectors that contribute to causing climate change or damage nature, this should be dependent on those sectors and businesses rapidly changing their practices so that they no longer cause environmental harm”.
• 80% of respondents agreed that Environmental regulations should not be relaxed or undermined as part of the Recovery. Almost 50% strongly agreed. When looking at 16-34-year olds 84% agreed.
• Q3 was about measures that could be part of the Government’s recovery plans and respondents were asked to indicate importance on a scale of 1-5 (with 1 being not important, 2 of some importance, 3 quite important, 5 utmost importance)
o From highest to lowest those ranking as very important were
Support for community food production and local food businesses (4.26/5). 50% said of utmost importance, 27% very important.
Support for re-use and recycling enterprises (4.22/5). 47% utmost and 34% very.
Renewable energy projects (4.17/5). 50% utmost and 29% very.
Enhancement to Scotland’s nature through for example, tree planting, peatland restoration, green spaces which are good for nature (4.15/5). 49% utmost and 27% very.
Upgrades to our homes and buildings so they are well insulated and fit for the future (4.15/5). 33% utmost and 45% very
Support for nature friendly farming (4.07/5). 42% utmost and 32% very.
o Quite important overall were
Support for training and research to help us tackle climate change and reduce waste (3.98/5).
More space for pedestrians/cyclists (3.53/5). Despite ranking lowest of defined answers, 55% still believe this is very important or of utmost importance.
Something else (3.4/5) Answers included: planting wildflowers for bees; cut down in travel; awareness of littering; electric cars; better public transport; reduce packaging and single use plastics; support tourism; solar energy; conservation of local wildlife
7. Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with 40 member bodies representing >0.5 million people in Scotland who support a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
In June, the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. Environment LINK welcomed the Bill and the amendments which ranged from increasing penalties for serious animal and wildlife crimes to offering new and increased protections to animals and wildlife in Scotland.
One key amendment which passed within this Bill was protected species status for mountain hares in Scotland. Until recently mountain hares were only protected by a closed season which runs from 1st March to 31st July. Beyond this, mountain hares currently can be culled to manage control on grouse moors where they are often present. The practice of mountain hare culling has significantly reduced their numbers2, to the extent there have been calls to ban mountain hare culls in recent years.
Mountain hares are a Priority Species under the Biodiversity Action Plan where, despite having cultural and ecological significance, due to significant declines in their populations, their conservation status is currently considered “unfavourable” in Scotland. Under the EU Habitats Directive, the Scottish Government also have a duty to monitor, report and maintain their population in good health. The Animal and Wildlife Bill now provides further and much welcomed protections where through extension of protected species status they are now protected from unlicensed culling.
The Bill is yet to be ratified into an Act, with the mountain hare culling season starting on the 1st of August. Several MSP Species Champions across the political spectrum introduced several amendments to the strengthen the Bill.
Liz Ferrell, Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s Wildlife Crime Group, said:
“We welcome the arrival of this new bill passed by the Scottish Parliament as it is an important step in tackling wildlife crime in Scotland. The elevation of mountain hares to Protected Species status in Scotland was necessary to safeguard their dwindling populations but there is legitimate concern that pre-emptive killing of this species could take place during this year before their new protections come into force. The Wildlife Crime Group members therefore urge the use of existing powers held by the Police to extend the closed season for mountain hare culling to prevent any unjustified killing.”
Contact details
Liz Ferrell, Convenor of the LINK Wildlife Crime Group,
Phone- 01786 822107 Email- eferrell@bats.org.uk
Editors’ Notes
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society www.scotlink.org
(2) Watson, A. and Wilson, J.D (2018) Seven decades of mountain hare counts show severe declines where high‐yield recreational game bird hunting is practised, Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society.
New EU Continuity Bill a welcome step forward, say charities.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of Scotland’s leading charities has today welcomed the Scottish government’s announcement of a new EU Continuity Bill to safeguard vital environmental protections that would otherwise be lost in December this year, at the end of the Brexit transition period.
The coalition has also warned that the draft law must be significantly strengthened in a number of areas in order to ensure Scotland’s natural environment doesn’t lose out from weakened protection once we leave the EU.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said:
“We welcome the arrival of this crucial piece of legislation to secure key environmental protections in Scotland post-Brexit. This is an important step to keep Scotland’s high environmental standards in place for the years ahead, however, we know that with a Bill of this complexity the devil will be in the detail.
“We will be examining the Scottish government’s proposals in detail to ensure the new watchdog is fully independent and well-resourced, backed up by strong environmental principles. Whilst we support the direction of travel in the Bill, a first glance shows that some work will be needed to ensure the Principles and Governance requirements meet the standards needed to safeguard Scotland’s amazing nature long into the future.”
Find out more about the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign
A Scottish Environment LINK survey published today shows the public want a less wasteful economy with lighter demands on the planet (1,2). These findings come at a critical time, with Governments now considering how best to stimulate the economy as part of the recovery from coronavirus (3).
The survey showed that respondents would support moves by the Scottish Government that reduce our use of valuable raw materials. People also expressed frustration with the way that products are made and how it is often impracticable to get things repaired.
There was widespread support for businesses to become more responsible for the environmental impact of their products, with clear support for supermarkets to report on their own waste levels and waste in their supply chains.
The survey of 1,027 people in Scotland, conducted by Survation, found
• 87% agreed with the statement that ‘In Scotland we should use raw materials more wisely and waste less’.
• 78% agreed with the statement that ‘The Government should introduce a target and a plan on how to reduce the amount of raw materials used’.
• 91% agreed with the statement ‘When possible, products should be made so that they are easy to repair and their components can be re-used’
• 90% agreed with the statement that ‘Producers and retailers have a responsibility for the environmental impact of their products’
• 83% agreed that Supermarkets should report publicly on their waste and 77% agreed that they should also report on the waste from their supply chains.
• 74% of respondents agreed that ‘The Government should, wherever possible, only allow materials that are practicably and safely recycled to be sold in Scotland.’
The Covid-19 crisis has shed light on the vulnerability of our wasteful and unsustainable economy, often characterised by long and ‘just-in-time’ supply chains. Prior to the recent abrupt downturn in economic activity, our economy was eating its way through the world’s natural resources at a rate that was both environmentally unsustainable (4) and undesirable from an economic resilience point of view. Environmental experts say we need to re-programme our economy to extract less from the planet, reuse what we’ve already taken and reduce our waste.
Phoebe Cochrane, Circular Economy Lead for Scottish Environment LINK said:
“The Scottish government must ensure we put the circular economy at the heart of our post COVID-19 recovery measures rather than supporting practices that lock us into a linear, polluting and unsustainable economy.
“The results from this survey, clearly show that the Scottish public is keen to see the government and businesses step up to the mark and implement practices that minimise waste and are good for us and the long-term health of our planet.”
“The coronavirus crisis has brought into sharp focus, for us all, the importance of our natural environment and how much we depend on it for our wellbeing. A move towards a circular economy is pivotal in meeting our climate change obligations and ensuring a resilient economy for the greater good.”
ENDS
CONTACT DETAILS:
Phoebe Cochrane, 07906 780760, phoebe@scotlink.org
EDITORS NOTES
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society scotlink.org
(2) Conducted by Survation on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK. Fieldwork conducted: 29th April – 4th May 2020 Population sampled: All residents aged 16+ living in Scotland Sample size: 1,027 respondents https://www.scotlink.org/publication/survey-report-public-attitudes-on-circular-economy-may-2020/
(3) Scottish Government has committed to a green recovery – their agenda is to build a wellbeing economy and to ensure a green recovery. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-economy-secretarys-statement-economic-impact-covid-19-tuesday-21-april-2020/
(4) The 2019 Global Resource Outlook shows that extracting and processing raw materials is responsible for half the world’s carbon emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss; and the consumption of natural resources, which has tripled since the 1970’s, is set to further double by 2060. http://globalbusinesscoalition.org/global-governance-news/unep-irp-global-resources-outlook-2019-natural-resources-for-the-future-we-want/
We are consuming far more than our fair share of natural resources and if everyone lived like us, we would need about 3 Earths to sustain ourselves, according to ecological footprint data http://data.footprintnetwork.org/?_ga=2.189791149.761092198.1580906071-1075653858.1573138714#/
Leading Scottish environmental charities have today jointly published five tests for politicians to meet when implementing a ‘green recovery’ from COVID-19.
Scottish Environment LINK has challenged decision-makers to meet its tests, which it says will ensure that Scotland can move towards a new sustainable and socially-just era.
LINK, the network of 39 of Scotland’s leading environmental organisations – will be using the following criteria to assess the recovery policies and recommendations from the Scottish Government, and UK Government for reserved matters:
1. Every individual policy/action adopted must be based on sound evidence, must not increase carbon emissions, must not damage nature and must not harm social wellbeing.
At the same time, the package of policies that we expect to see emerge from the recommendations to government must, together, meet these additional four tests, while each individual policy/action must contribute to at least one:
2. Reduce pollution;
3. Improve adaptation to climate change and meet net zero by 2045;
4. Secure sustainable consumption of natural resources
5. Improve biodiversity and ecosystem services
Deborah Long, Chief Officer at LINK said “We are living in times of multiple emergencies. As we emerge from Covid-19, there are growing calls from society and scientists that the recovery must be sustainable and fair. We must build a better society for all, in a healthy environment capable of sustaining communities and individuals and livelihoods.
International peer-reviewed studies suggest we’ve only ten years left to address the climate emergency (IPCC 2018) and the nature crisis (IPBES 2019 and State of Nature 2019).
“We owe it to future generations to make sure that our economic reset is the time when we started living as if we had a single planet, and not three (SEPA).”
This year had been billed as the big year for the environment, but sadly two international environmental conferences, including the Conference of the Parties on climate in Glasgow, have understandably been postponed to 2021.
LINK wants to emphasise that that the nature and climate crises have not gone away. We have just ten years to 2030 to halt biodiversity loss, restore nature and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LINK welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent steps to scope and map out the route towards the ‘new normal’ as the world recovers from Covid-19, including establishing two new Advisory Groups in recent weeks to advise on a sustainable and fair recovery: the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, reporting to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance, and the Sustainable Renewable Advisory Group, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform.
Vhairi Tollan, LINK’s Advocacy Manager said:
“With so many Government and non-government groups looking at what a sustainable and fair recovery might look like, there is a danger of overlap and repetition with contrasting and possibly conflicting recommendations. Reassurance that the Scottish Cabinet will be able to prioritise action to achieve the outcomes Scotland needs to see will be crucial if we are to make a successful transition to a sustainable and fair future. LINK’s 5 tests offer a mechanism to do just that.”
Notes:
- Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society scotlink.org
- LINK’s 5 tests for a green recovery are available here.
- References in text:
Contact details:
Vhairi Tollan, Advocacy Manager, 07512 828004.
A coalition of environmental organisations have welcomed today’s advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) on how Scotland can build a resilient, green economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of Scottish Environment LINK also urge the Scottish Government to seek complementary advice from independent biodiversity experts as it is imperative that action taken for a green recovery tackles both the climate emergency and nature crisis.
As the Scottish Government’s statutory advisers on the policies required to achieve net-zero climate targets, the CCC has urged that Scotland must take steps to increase resilience in the face of future threats by making ‘evidence-led preparations’ and avoid steps that would ‘lock-in’ high levels greenhouse has emissions for future generations. LINK members strongly support the CCC’s recommendations that specific policies to deliver ‘transformational land reform’ through tree planting, peatland restoration and creation of new urban greenspaces are stepped up rapidly as part of the economic recovery following the pandemic.
On those specific steps, LINK members believe while tree planting is important, woodland regeneration is even more so and more likely to deliver for the nature crisis as well as the climate emergency. Enabling tree regeneration across Scotland would restore habitats, including for example in the uplands and along riverbanks with riverine woodland. Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place, while meeting climate targets runs the risk of taking us backwards through inappropriate planting in key habitats.
Secondly, the increased investment the Scottish Government has already pledged for peatland restoration must be able to be used as flexibly as possible in order to enable that investment to be effective.
And thirdly, the pandemic has clearly shown to us all how important urban greenspaces are to people across Scotland. LINK members fully support the creation of more greenspaces and enhancement of existing brownfield sites with high biodiversity levels where nature and people can thrive across Scotland’s urban areas.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said: “We welcome today’s timely advice and the proactive steps being taken by the Scottish Government to seek the best measures required for a green recovery. Tree planting in appropriate places and woodland regeneration, peatland restoration and increasing accessible greenspace in our urban areas are essential to meeting our climate targets while delivering a range of co-benefits to boost people’s wellbeing and restoring nature.
“In recent weeks we have become acutely aware that the nature on our very doorsteps has an invaluable role to play in sustaining us through this crisis – from garden birdwatching to growing local, sustainable food. In addition to meeting net-zero goals, a resilient, green recovery for Scotland must also embed action to recover biodiversity and tackle the nature crisis as acknowledged by the First Minister last year. Scottish Environment LINK urges Ministers to seek complementary advice from independent biodiversity experts to ensure that plans for a green recovery will include measures to aid nature’s recovery while meeting net-zero targets.”
– ENDS –
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with 39 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
- The UK Committee on Climate Change’s advice to the Scottish Government can be found here.
- In May 2019, following an announcement at First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Government confirmed in a letter to Scottish Environment LINK that the biodiversity crisis is a key priority for the Scottish Government.
Scottish Environment LINK welcome the recommendations set out in the Salmon Interactions Working Group’s report and commend the group’s members on unanimously agreeing on the proposed actions. It is LINK’s hope that Scottish Ministers follow the advice in the report by adopting all recommendations and moving swiftly to implement them.
Dawn Purchase, Vice-Convener of LINK’s Aquaculture Group, said:
“Populations of Atlantic salmon in Scotland are at a historic low and are in great need of meaningful conservation action if these populations are to recover. Scottish Environment LINK members recognise that salmon aquaculture represents one of many pressures on wild salmon and sea trout populations, but believes the recommendations put forward by the Working Group, if adopted, will be a welcome step forward in protecting these wild fish.
“The report’s recommendations are wide-ranging but it is important that all are taken forward as a package to have the greatest impact on wild salmonid populations. Along with taking the report’s recommendations forward, we would like to see the Scottish Government publish a delivery plan for the agreed actions.”
NOTES:
- The Salmon Interactions Working Group report can be found here.
- A member of Scottish Environment LINK’s Aquaculture Group was a member of the Working Group.
- As part of the inquiry, LINK submitted responses to the Scottish Parliament’s ECCLR and REC Committees, available here and here.
On Tuesday evening, we were delighted to win in our category the 2020 Charity Film Awards.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of more than 35 Scottish conservation and environmental groups and charities worked with Maramedia to create the stunning film This is Scotland to highlight a worrying statistic that was first revealed in the 2017 report Where the Green Grants Went Scotland. This report highlighted a massive funding hole for the nation’s conservation efforts. This is despite Scotland being home to some of the UK’s most spectacular and critically endangered natural heritage. The report found that only 29% of grant giving foundations operating in the UK gave grants to environmental causes in Scotland.
The winning film, This is Scotland, highlights that just 5 per cent of available UK charitable grants go to protect Scotland’s nature. First launched in Edinburgh with some of Scotland’s most influential funders, winning the 2020 Charity Film Awards takes the message much further.
The Charity Film Awards celebrates the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness for the charity or fundraise.
65,000 people took part in the public voting stage to determine the shortlist. The Charity Film Awards panel of expert judges, which includes high profile names from entertainment, business, politics and media. The winners of the Charity Film Awards 2020 were announced in a virtual gala ceremony on Tuesday 21 April.
Celebrity Ambassadors for Charity Film Awards include; Mariella Frostrup, Quentin Willson, Jason Bell and Chris Warburton.
Dr Deborah Long, LINK’s Chief Officer, said: “We wanted to use our film to show everyone just how amazing Scotland’s environment and nature is. Now more than ever we know that nature makes us feel better – we are so pleased our film is reaching and inspiring people. What the film makes clear though is that we stand to lose so much if we fail to invest in its conservation and restoration. Without support and investment, our environment and the nature that lives there cannot continue to provide the wellbeing and livelihoods we depend on. This was really urgent before the Covid-19 pandemic and is just as urgent now. Reports at home and internally reflect ongoing decline in biodiversity, here and across the world, and the closing window we have to halt the loss and restore our landscapes and, habitats and species. This film reminds us all why Scotland is so special, why it’s a fantastic place to live and visit and what we stand to lose without coordinated and concerted effort. Thank you to everyone who voted for it and all those who supported it.”
Simon Burton, Co-Founder of the Charity Film Awards said: ‘In the digital age, charities’ use of video is fundamental to engage the hearts and minds of their communities. Scottish Environment LINK’s film is a great example of that in action.”
Watch our film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc&t=3s
ENDS
Editors’ Note:
Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment organisations, with over 35 member bodies representing a range of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
This is Scotland was developed by a partnership of Scotland’s leading environmental organisations including National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, RZSS, Scottish Wildlife Trust, WWF Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland, thanks to support from Scottish Environment Link, Turcan Connell and Maramedia.
This is Scotland can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc
The Where the Green Grants Went Scotland report is available here:
https://www.greenfunders.org/where-the-green-grants-went-scotland/
The Charity Film Awards celebrate the very best films and videos that have been created by registered charities and CIC’s within the UK. For more information visit www.charityfilmawards.com
A Scottish Government reporter has today dismissed a landowner’s appeal against an order forcing the removal of a controversial vehicle track in scenic Glen Clova, Cairngorms NP.
The decision ends a long-running battle over the 1.5km track, which is visible for miles around and features spoil mounds up to 10 metres wide.
The landowner had launched an appeal in December 2019 against Cairngorms National Park Authority’s enforcement notice ordering him to remove the vehicle track, as it appears to be used to support field sports.
But today Allison Coard, a reporter appointed by Scottish Ministers, has dismissed the appeal and ordered the land to be restored “so far as is reasonably practicable” within one year.
Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks Group, which continues to campaign for stronger public oversight of upland vehicle tracks, commended the reporter and the national park authority for their decisive action.
Helen Todd, who is Ramblers Scotland’s policy manager and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group, said: “This is a landmark result, and sadly one of very few examples of an authority feeling able to commit enough time and money to retrospectively tackle unauthorised tracks.
“This ugly track is scarring the landscape in this historic, protected glen – and we look forward to seeing the hillside restored within the coming year.
“All Scottish landowners should take note of today’s decision, and the expensive restoration job that the landowner will now need to carry out.”
Beryl Leatherland, of Scottish Wild Land Group and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group said: “The case highlights the urgent need for the Scottish Government to introduce stronger controls over vehicle tracks in our hills – to boost local democracy, improve construction standards and protect precious environments from further damage.”
The Scottish Government has made hilltracks one of the top priorities in its forthcoming review of ‘Permitted Development Rights’, which governs which types of developments can bypass the full planning permission process.
Currently, landowners simply need to tell authorities before building tracks which are said to support ‘agriculture or forestry’ – and full planning permission is generally not required. Campaigners believe these tracks are often created to support shooting activities and therefore should be subject to a planning application.
Research published in 2018 by the Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks group found that vehicle tracks continue to expand further into Scotland’s mountain landscapes, and that weak planning processes can lead to them being badly-sited and designed. Some tracks have even been built over the top of narrow, low-impact trails and historical routes, with little chance for the public to comment in advance.
You can view the full appeal decision and history here.
Contact details
For further details, or to request an interview with Helen Todd or Beryl Leatherland, please call the Ramblers Scotland press office on 0131 357 5854 or 07557 527607 (out of hours). Alternatively, please email scotland@ramblers.org.uk
New environment watchdog must have teeth, say charities
Scotland’s leading environment charities have welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement today of a vision and outcomes for an environment strategy, applauding the government’s commitment to restore nature and end Scotland’s contribution to climate change.
They have called on the government to back up this commitment with legally binding targets for nature recovery and an action plan for delivery.
The charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK, also welcomed the announcement of a new environment watchdog to oversee compliance with environmental law, but cautioned that the new body must have real independence and power to protect Scotland’s iconic nature.
More than 30 organisations launched the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign in 2018, calling for an independent watchdog to enforce environmental protections after Brexit. The European Commission and Court of Justice previously played a key role in holding government to account on the environment, on issues ranging from air pollution to protections for marine animals.
The charities also welcomed the reiteration of the government’s commitment to embed crucial European environment principles in Scots law – another key demand of their campaign.
The charities believe the new watchdog must be independent of government and must have sufficient resources as well as the ability to investigate complaints from the public, charities and businesses, and to impose sanctions when standards are breached. Public support is strong – a recent opinion poll in Scotland found 81 percent of Leave voters and 91 percent of Remain voters supported a new body to provide continuing environmental oversight.
Charles Dundas, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK, said today:
“It’s fantastic to see such a bold vision for the protection of Scotland’s environment, which, as the Scottish Government says, is fundamental to our future. Now we need to see the strategy backed up with clear, binding targets for the recovery of our amazing nature.
“It’s also great news that the government plans to set up a new environment watchdog. We look forward to seeing the full details, and trust MSPs will scrutinise these closely. It’s essential that citizens are able to hold government to account. We need a watchdog with teeth: real independence, the power to enforce protections, and the people, expertise and funds to do the job.”
