January 29th, 2020 by vhairiLeading environmental charities have urged the Scottish Government to change its current review of permitted development rights (that allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application) to ensure the legislation is fit to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises facing Scotland.
In their response to the consultation on ‘Proposed Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights in Scotland’ Scottish Environment LINK have welcomed proposals that give permitted development rights for several new types of low-carbon and biodiversity-friendly infrastructure, such as habitat ponds and peatland restoration, but say that these positive gains will have no impact unless other climate damaging developments are reviewed.
Currently permitted developments allow certain developments which can result in high levels of emissions and damage sensitive habitats and landscapes, such as airport developments or hilltracks. Scottish Environment LINK believe these damaging developments should be open to scrutiny in order to ensure they are not harming our environment and preventing Scotland from meeting its net-zero emissions targets. Climate damaging developments cancel out the benefits from other positive types now being given permitted development rights, such a peatland restoration and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Clare Symonds, Convener of the LINK Planning Group said ”planning plays a crucial role in helping us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and restoring biodiversity losses, but any moves towards deregulating planning needs careful consideration. We do not want to be in a situation where the benefits of positive developments such as peatland restoration are negated by climate damaging developments also being given automatic planning permission. Developments that contribute to greenhouse gases or that reduce biodiversity should be open to public scrutiny and question. In a similar vein we also don’t want a ridiculous situation where the planning system gives developments such as airport operational buildings automatic permission to be built but requires an application for planning permission for a bird hide”.
NOTES:
LINK’s response to the PDR consultation can be read here.
The Scottish Government’s consultation document is available here.
For more information contact:
Vhairi Tollan, Advocacy Manager,
vhairi@scotlink.org, 07512828004.
Brexit trade deals could put iconic Scottish wildlife at risk at a time when 1 in 9 species in Scotland is at risk of extinction, say Scotland’s leading environmental charities. Otters, bottlenose dolphins, puffins, bats, Golden eagle and osprey are among a host of species that will face increased threats after 31 January.
Many of Scotland’s most important wildlife species and habitats benefit from high levels of protection originating from the EU.
The charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK and behind the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign, fear that a rush to rapidly agree bilateral trade deals with other countries after 31 January could lead to the slashing of environmental standards, including crucial protections for Scotland’s wildlife. Swiftly agreed trade deals with countries such as the United States and China could lead to weaker regulations on animal welfare standards, food quality and environmental protections.
The US has banned mention of climate change from trade talks with the UK. It also wants the UK to move to a US system where things are assumed safe until harm or damage is proved.
The EU exit deal itself also poses a risk to Scotland’s nature and landscapes, say campaigners. Safeguards contained in Theresa May’s deal, aimed at preventing environmental standards being lowered, have been removed from Boris Johnson’s deal.
The Scottish Government has repeatedly said it will not water down environmental protections after Brexit. But campaigners fear that if standards are slashed in the rest of the UK, there could be huge pressure on Scotland to follow suit.
The charities also warn that without the option for people to raise complaints to the European Commission, existing protections may not be enforced, leaving wildlife vulnerable to further declines and destruction of habitats. Under the banner of Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign, they are calling for the Scottish Government to create a new, independent environment watchdog for Scotland, and to embed crucial environmental principles, previously applied through European law, into Scots law.
Charles Dundas, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK, said:
Brexit will leave the Scottish wildlife we all love open to a host of new threats if environmental standards are lowered, just when we most need to stop nature’s decline and help it recover. The Brexit deal and the pressure of new bilateral trade deals make it more urgent than ever that the Scottish Government acts to ensure our environmental protections remain intact.”
Ends
For media enquiries and interview requests please contact: Azra Wyart at: mediaandeventsscotland@gmail.com
Many people in Scotland suffer from a polluted environment, particularly those in poorer communities, and across Scotland environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic air and plastic pollution are becoming ever more pressing. There is a growing and increasingly complex body of environmental law in Scots law – some of it world-leading – and at the EU and international level that attempts to address aspects of these problems.
However, significant barriers of cost, uncertainty and technicalities exist for communities and individual citizens in Scotland, as well as environmental and social NGOs, who suffer from a polluted environment and want to do something about it.
This is why LINK’s Legal Strategy Group, led by Mary Church, is launching an Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, as a means of enabling and supporting communities and non government organisations to take action to protect the environment.
This new centre has been set up to:
• deliver public legal education enabling individuals, communities and eNGOs to understand better and access their legal rights and responsibilities in relation to the environment;
• offer advice and assistance on planning and environmental law to individuals, communities and eNGOs;
• advocate for reform for a legal system that is fit for purpose, including compliance with the UNECE Aarhus Convention, as environmental law becomes increasingly complex and environmental problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and air pollution become increasingly pressing; and
• pursue strategic litigation where necessary to secure progress on key environmental issues.
In working to achieve this long term purpose, our short term plan is to establish a stand-alone SCIO (a form of Scottish charity) with its own Board of Trustees to oversee the work of the Centre. When this is up and running, management of the Centre will transfer from LINK to the new body.
At the same time, our two new members of staff, Shivali Fifield, Development Manager and Ian Cowan, Programme Manager, will focus on developing and agreeing a strategy for the Centre’s development, including its phased establishment and growth.
Mary Church, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland and Convenor of LINK’s Legal Strategy Group said:
“As the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic air and plastic pollution become ever more pressing, Scotland’s environment urgently needs defending in the corridors of power and the courts of law. Our new Environmental Rights Centre will play a vital role in supporting citizens and NGOs to stand up for the environment, and help break down the barriers to public interest litigation.”
Shivali, the Centre’s new Development Manager, said:
‘As a lifelong environmentalist and campaigner against inequality, I’m really excited to be appointed as the development manager for the ERCS. There has never been a more important time to have an independent organisation that can advocate for the right to live in a clean and healthy environment for everyone. I look forward to building links with community groups, organisations and existing networks to ensure that the ERCS will be that advocate.’
Ian, the Centre’s new Programme Manager, said:
“Scotland does lots of things really well – but environmental justice has never been one of them. After 7 years of working freelance to help community groups address the gaps, I’m delighted to be a part of the team that will now systematically take on that task, so that people all over Scotland can at last fully secure their environmental rights.”
Find out more about ERCS via our website here
Stay in touch with our plans here
Contact:
Email: Information email
Tel: 0131 225 4345 or 01738 630804
Mobile: Deborah Long +44 7470 715304
A coalition of environmental, community, wildlife, forestry, and outdoor recreational groups is urging the Scottish Government to bring in enhanced statutory regulation to ensure the nation’s deer population is managed effectively and sustainably for the benefit of communities and the natural environment. This is especially urgent, says the coalition, in the light of the accelerating climate and biodiversity crisis.
Eighteen organisations representing over half a million members – seven directly involved in land and deer management across thousands of square kilometres of Scotland’s uplands – have published a joint paper, Managing Deer for Climate, Communities and Conservation, setting out the case for a new approach to deer management that prioritises public interest objectives, such as reducing carbon emissions, supporting local communities, and improving biodiversity.
The wide and heterogeneous range of organisations – from the community-run North Harris Trust to Ramblers Scotland; from the RSPB to Nourish Scotland – have come together to call for a reduction in deer densities, an end to over-reliance on deer fencing, and the broadening out of deer stalking beyond its traditional core of participants.
The paper has been issued ahead of the publication of a report to the Scottish Government by the independent Deer Working Group which is expected any day now. The report is likely to trigger a national debate about current and future deer management practices.
Mike Daniels of the John Muir Trust, one of the key authors of the paper, said: “We believe that there is a growing appetite for change in how Scotland’s uplands are managed into the 2020s and beyond, and delivering sustainable deer management is a critical component. This large and diverse group of organisations believes that we can achieve far greater national and community benefit from our uplands by doing things differently.
“For many decades, there has been a scientific consensus that unsustainably high deer densities have a destructive impact on vast areas of our land. We welcome recent steps by the Scottish Government to start addressing the problem, and we have launched this paper to set out the reasons why our politicians should now make some fundamental changes to the way we manage our deer population.
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Chair of LINK Deer Task Force said: “Sustainable deer management should not be regarded as just a marginal issue. It should actually be much more of a central consideration as to how we best manage tens of thousands of square kilometres of Scotland’s uplands to get the maximum public benefit, and it should be well integrated with other forms of land use policy. High deer impacts and other grazing pressures are damaging peatlands, halting woodland regeneration and expansion, and causing other costs to the public.
By resolving these pressures, we will in a far stronger position to meet our climate change targets and reverse the alarming long-term decline in the biodiversity of our uplands. In this paper we have also set out the compelling economic case for a step-change in our approach towards deer management”.
The full text of the paper can be downloaded here: Managing Deer for Climate, Communities and Conservation
See also this scientific report by Tom Edwards for Scottish Environment Link’s Deer Task Force
A FAQ is also available here: https://www.scotlink.org/publication/faqs-managing-deer-for-climate-communities-and-conservation/
EDITORS NOTES
Contact: Alan McCombes m: 0771 744 2805 e: alan.mccombes@johnmuirtrust.org
The paper Managing Deer for Climate, Communities and Conservation has been published by Scottish Environment Link, the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environmental community. It has been supported by several other organisations which are not affiliated to LINK.
The full list of supporting organisations, in alphabetical order, is as follows:
- Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group
- Butterfly Conservation Scotland
- Cairngorm Campaign
- Forest Policy Group
- Froglife
- John Muir Trust
- National Trust for Scotland
- North Harris Trust
- Nourish Scotland
- Ramblers Scotland
- Reforesting Scotland
- RSPB Scotland
- Scottish Badgers
- Scottish Raptor Study Group
- Scottish Wild Land Group
- Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Trees for Life
- Woodland Trust Scotland
A landowner is appealing the Cairngorm National Park’s decision to force the removal of a controversial vehicle track in scenic Glen Clova in Angus.
A Scottish Government planning official will conduct a site visit on Friday 20 December to view the track, which sparked national headlines in October this year – including coverage from the BBC and the Herald.
Helen Todd, who is Ramblers Scotland’s policy manager and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group, said: “It is deeply frustrating that a landowner is challenging the order forcing them to restore this unauthorised track, which is scarring the landscape in historic, protected Glen Clova.
“Ministers have committed to review the unfair, inadequate planning process for such tracks next year – and this case shines a spotlight on why change is urgently needed throughout the whole of Scotland.”
Beryl Leatherland, of Scottish Wild Land Group and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group said: “We feel confident the landowner’s appeal will fail, but it will result in yet more costs and delays while this retrospective process takes place.
“This case yet again highlights the urgent need for stronger controls over vehicle tracks in our hills – to support local democracy, boost construction standards and save our uplands from further damage.”
You can view the full planning papers here.
NOTES
[1] For further information contact Danny Carden, Communications and for Ramblers Scotland and LINK Hilltracks subgroup member, 0131 357 5854 / 07557 527607,danny.carden@ramblers.org.uk
A coalition of environmental organisations have welcomed improvements in the functioning of deer management groups while warning that a step change is needed if climate and biodiversity targets are to be met.
A report published last week by Scottish Natural Heritage suggests that there has been “significant progress” in deer management planning and evidence of improvements on the ground in reducing deer densities in some areas. The report, however also noted that three out of five key Scottish biodiversity targets are “unlikely to be delivered” because of high deer densities and that there has been “insufficient progress” in protecting and restoring native woodlands.
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Chair of LINK Deer Group said: “We welcome the report’s findings that the majority of land managers are complying with the basic requirements of the Deer Code, and acknowledge the positive leadership of SNH within the constraints of a voluntary system.
“It’s also clear from the report that much more needs to be done. Across our upland landscapes in particular, high deer impacts and other grazing pressures are damaging peatlands and halting woodland regeneration and expansion. These issues are closely connected to meeting the obligations of the Scottish Government’s climate emergency and halting drastic biodiversity decline.
“We need a sense of urgency to protect and restore our woodlands and peatlands and that means tackling the destructive impact of our historical legacy of unsustainably high deer densities. We look forward to the more wide-ranging report from the independent Deer Working Group and would like to see SNH given greater powers and resources to drive forward the scale of the change required.”
The SNH study was commissioned by the Scottish Government to report specifically on the progress of deer management groups between 2016 and 2019. Among other conclusions, it states: “Three of the five Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) Route map 2020 targets in which deer management has a role are unlikely to be delivered. The native woodland condition and restoration targets show insufficient progress and should be a priority for future focus.”
A separate review into deer management in Scotland is expected to be delivered to the Scottish Government shortly by the independent Deer Working Group.
This statement is supported by the following members of the Scottish Environment LINK Deer Group:
- John Muir Trust
- RSPB Scotland
- Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Trees for Life
- Woodland Trust Scotland
NOTES:
Contact: Alan McCombes m: 0771 744 2805
e: alan.mccombes@johnmuirtrust.org
SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT LINK
PRESS RELEASE
7th November 2019
Circular economy proposals need top-level targets says Scottish Environment LINK
The Scottish Government consultation (2) for a Circular Economy Bill, published today, contains proposals for reducing waste but does not include the high-level targets which LINK has been calling for with the support of 35 Scottish organisations (3).
The consultation paper suggests introducing charges on single-use items such as coffee cups; strengthening obligations on reporting waste; placing additional requirements on local authorities to improve household recycling; and measures to prevent waste crime.
Campaigners welcomed the document but said that these measures won’t add up to the radical change we need to address our impact on the environment. The quantity and nature of the products we use and consume is a key driver of our ecological and climate emergencies (4). Research has shown that we consume 3 times our share of planetary resources (5).
Matthew Crighton, Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s Economics Group says
“We’re pleased that the Scottish Government has raised aspirations with this consultation, but they won’t be met by the measures which it is proposing. In light of the Climate Emergency and the damage we are doing to nature we should be aiming at far-reaching changes to how we make, sell and consume. The proposals here, though all welcome, don’t come close to that.
‘Instead of relying so much on voluntary action by forward-thinking companies and individuals, we need to set statutory targets for reductions in the resources we use, in parallel with our climate change targets. Government should use the bill to create the mechanisms through which producers and retailers will be required to build repair, re-use and recycling into the products they place on the market.
“We hope that this consultation stimulates a wide-ranging debate about how we move rapidly away from the linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’ which is ravaging our planet. It gives an excellent introduction to why a circular economy is important, which everyone should read, and it offers an opportunity to convince politicians and the public that a more thorough approach is needed to bridge the gap between aspiration and delivery”.
Deborah Long, Scottish Environment LINK Chief Officer says
‘Scottish Government have an opportunity to bring forward ambitious and meaningful proposals which could really make a difference to our impact on the climate and biodiversity emergencies. Having ambitious targets and an accompanying framework could drive policy across government to steer our economy to one that is more circular and more sustainable. What we have instead are proposals which continue to tinker at the edges of the problem.’
ENDS//
Contact details:
Matthew Crighton
Tel: 07851348426
Email: mcrighton@foe.scot
Phoebe Cochrane
Tel: 07906780760
phoebe@scotlink.org
Notes for editors
(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. LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.
www.scotlink.org
(2) Scottish Government Circular Economy Bill consultation https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/circular-economy-proposals-for-legislation/
(3) Over 35 organisations, including organisations with interests in health, education, construction, the bio-economy, repair, finance, recycling, plastics, waste management and overseas development; want to see ambitious circular economy proposals, crucially with consumption reduction targets centre stage http://www.scotlink.org/wp/files/documents/CE-Bill-call-for-Aug-19-logos-3.pdf
(4) The production and processing of the products we consume and use is the key driver of biodiversity loss – a International Resource Panel report puts it at 90% of biodiversity loss. This is because of loss of and pollution of habitats. https://resourcepanel.org/reports/global-resources-outlook
Additionally, our carbon impact is tied to our consumption, with about 80% of our carbon footprint being from emissions embedded in the goods we use and consume https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-carbon-footprint-2015/pages/4/
(5) This is based on ecological footprint data for the UK https://data.footprintnetwork.org/?_ga=2.59762477.186067404.1573138714-1075653858.1573138714#/
Campaigners welcome Scottish Government’s ‘No Deal’ environment safeguards
Leading environmental charities have welcomed a plan announced today by Scotland’s Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to set up an interim advisory panel to safeguard Scotland’s environmental standards in the event of a No Deal Brexit. Although the EU has this week granted an extension to Article 50, avoiding a No Deal exit on 31 October, this does not take No Deal entirely off the table.
The charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK, have been calling through their Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign for urgent measures to protect Scotland’s environment from severe threats posed by Brexit. Their demands include a new, independent watchdog to enforce environmental protections.
The advisory panel announced today would be a temporary arrangement, to be set up if the UK leaves the UK without a deal, but the charities say in the short term it could help fill the gap left by loss of access to the European Commission. They are awaiting further details on how the interim panel will operate, including how it will receive and address complaints from members of the public regarding environmental compliance, and whether it will include members with environmental expertise.
Members of Scottish Environment LINK are calling on the Scottish Government to detail what longer term arrangements it will put in place to ensure that Scotland’s environmental protections are upheld after Brexit. The results of the Scottish Government’s own consultation showed strong support for the creation of a new body in Scotland to carry out scrutiny, oversight and enforcement of environmental protections if we leave the EU. Scottish Environment LINK is recommending that there be a Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, based on research recently carried out by Professor Campbell Gemmell and commissioned by LINK.
Charles Dundas, chair of Scottish Environment LINK, said today:
“Scotland’s natural environment is central to our society, our economy, and our wellbeing. Today’s announcement shows that the Scottish Government is taking seriously the question of how we will look after our nature if the UK leaves the EU.
“A No Deal Brexit would leave Scotland’s environment extremely vulnerable, and we’re delighted that the Scottish Government has made plans to prevent standards slipping.
“We believe that in the longer term it is essential that Scotland has an independent, well-resourced environmental watchdog to uphold environmental protections and hold future governments to account.”
A film highlighting that just 5 per cent of available UK charitable grants go to protect Scotland’s nature has been launched in Edinburgh with some of Scotland’s most influential funders.
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.
In 2017, the Environment Funders Network published a report, Where the Green Grants Went, Scotland, which 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.
Although Scotland is home to 56% of the UK’s coastline, coastal and marine ecosystems in Scotland received just 3% of environmental funding. Climate and atmosphere related work received even less: 0.4% of all environmental grants by value.
Dr Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK says:
“Scotland is internationally renowned for the amazing wildlife and landscapes that characterise these tiny islands in the north west Atlantic. Scotland is home to a stunning diversity of species and is home to more than its fair share of world populations of, for example, gannets, grey seals, mosses and liverworts.
“However, the State of Nature Scotland report, shows ongoing and accelerating declines in species in terms of numbers and distribution. Scotland’s environmental charities are working together to highlight this urgent issue, to reverse the trends and to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural richness we take for granted today. But Scotland needs appropriate levels of funding to be able to do that. Without investment, nature and landscapes in Scotland have no future.”
Maramedia, the company behind landmark BBC nature documentary series including Highlands: Scotland’s Wild Heart and Hebrides: Islands on the Edge created the film using beautiful footage of Scotland’s wild flora and fauna.
The issue of under-funding for Scotland’s environment was further explored at the film’s launch in Scotland during a panel discussion with leading environmentalist Hugh Raven, Chair of Environmental Funders Network, Drew Bennellick of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mike Robinson, CEO of Royal Scottish Geographical Society, who coordinated of one of the earliest and most successful funded partnerships Forests for the Future and chaired by Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK.
Hugh Raven commented:
“Scotland is home to world class landscapes and nature, which lie at the heart of ambitions for a healthy natural environment, supporting the mental and physical health of our people and the wellbeing of our communities. It is part of who we are.
However, we are at a unique juncture for climate and environment across the globe, and nationally. We want to explore how to resource the step up to restore, conserve and use nature in a truly sustainable Scottish future.
Our report showed that Scotland’s environment gets a rum deal in terms of philanthropic support. If we are serious about conserving the nature of Scotland, these trends must be reversed urgently so that future generations can enjoy the many sights and sounds that Scotland has to offer and which are beautifully portrayed in this film.”
Scottish Government’s consultation receives public support for safeguarding nature from Brexit.
New report from Scottish Environment LINK sets out proposals for ensuring that environmental protections can still be upheld if the UK exits the EU.
Today the 2019 State of Nature Report, a comprehensive assessment from over 70 wildlife organisations and government agencies, showed that there has been no let up in the declines of nature across Scotland and the UK, and that urgent action is needed to reverse these declines.
The Scottish Government’s commendable ambitions to be world leaders on tackling the twin climate and nature crises cannot be achieved without the support of robust legislation and ways to uphold protections. That is why LINK welcomes the results of the Scottish Government’s consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance released today, which show strong support for strong new laws and institutions in Scotland, if the UK exits the EU.
Today’s consultation results show a genuine concern that Brexit may lead to negative impacts on environmental protection and that there is widespread support for the Scottish Government’s proposals to safeguard standards and introduce new arrangements for scrutinising and enforcing these protections. 70% of respondents to the consultation called for four key EU environmental principles to guide future Scottish Government policy, and there was also strong support for the creation of a new body to ensure that environmental protections are properly delivered and scrutinised. Several respondents also supported the introduction of an Environmental Court in Scotland.
LINK would like thank all of the individuals and organisations who participated in our Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign, which contributed over 12,000 responses to the consultation. This is an overwhelming display of passion and support for Scotland’s nature, and we were particularly pleased to see the wonderful contributions of the young people from Sunnyside Primary School in Glasgow, and the Ullapool Sea Savers mentioned in the Scottish Government’s report.
We are therefore delighted to launch a new report from Professor Campbell Gemmell, commissioned by Scottish Environment LINK, which echoes many of the consultation responses and proposes some practical ways that the Scottish Government could achieve its welcome aims to maintain EU standards. The report recommends that the Scottish Government:
- creates an independent Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment to act as a watchdog;
- establishes a dedicated Environmental Court over the long- term to enforce standards;
- streamlines and strengthens environmental governance in Scotland.
Taking forward these recommendations would ensure environmental protections can still be upheld if the UK exits the EU. Such a comprehensive response to the risks of EU exit would mean that Scotland’s institutions are as strong as the environmental protections they uphold. It would ensure that government and its agencies are held to account, providing a fundamental democratic safeguard and giving the environment a strong voice at a time when it urgently needs to be heard. Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said:
The results of the Scottish Government’s consultation show that LINK’s concerns about the risks to Scotland’s species and habitats are shared by many. As we rapidly approach the Brexit deadline, we are in danger of losing guiding environmental principles and the ability to enforce high standards at a time when our natural world is already under threat from the twin climate and biodiversity emergencies. The consultation results show widespread support for their proposals to maintain EU environmental principles and introduce new governance arrangements as a response to EU exit. Scottish Environment LINK is delighted to release this new report from Professor Campbell Gemmell on environmental governance, which we hope proposes a practical way forward on these issues. We look forward to discussing these solutions in more detail with the Scottish Government in the coming months.
LINK supports the Scottish Government’s welcome ambitions to ensure that Brexit does not lead to a downgrading of environmental protections, and we hope that this will be achieved through new legislation that embeds EU environmental principles in Scots law and creates a new environment watchdog to safeguard Scotland’s amazing wildlife and landscapes.
Notes:
[1] The analysis of the Scottish Government’s consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/analysis-responses-consultation-environmental-principles-governance/
[2] Campbell Gemmell’s report on Environmental Governance: effective approaches for Scotland post-Brexit can be accessed at: https://www.fightforscotlandsnature.scot/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/REPORT-Environmental-Governance-effective-approaches-for-Scotland-post-Brexit-OCT-2019.pdf
[3] A summary of the report’s key findings has been produced by Scottish Environment LINK and can be accessed at: http://www.scotlink.org/public-documents/link-summary-of-report-environmental-governance-effective-approaches-for-scotland-post-brexit/
[4] Professor Campbell Gemmell is a Partner in Canopus Scotland Consulting, Professor of Environment Policy, Regulation and Governance at the University of Glasgow, Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling and an Adjunct Professor in the Future Industries Institute at UniSA, Adelaide.
He is former CEO of the South Australian EPA (2012 to 2014) and was CEO of SEPA 2003 to 2012 and SEPA Strategy Director 2001 to 2003.
Campbell was a member of Scottish Government’s Expert Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change and Chair of the independent review of Cleaner Air for Scotland.
[5] The Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign has been coordinated by Scottish Environment LINK. It is supported by 37 environmental organisations and has called for a Scottish Environment Act that embeds EU environmental principles, establishes a new environmental watchdog and sets new targets for reversing nature decline. More details can be found at: https://www.fightforscotlandsnature.scot/what-we-stand-for/
