When a local beauty spot – a beach, a wood, a hillside – comes under threat, local people are very often its most passionate defenders. Meetings are held, alliances formed, knowledge rapidly acquired and shared, and politicians lobbied in a quest to save a much-loved piece of nature. … [continue reading] Scotland’s new environment watchdog must provide real recourse to justice

Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of Scotland’s leading environment charities, has warned the UK government that its plan to create a UK internal market could seriously harm Scotland’s natural environment by dragging down standards. … [continue reading] UK internal market could seriously harm Scotland’s environment

How fully does the Scottish Government's proposed new environment watchdog replace the oversight and enforcement functions previously carried out by EU institutions? Will it have the independence, powers and resources required to hold government to account on environmental matters? … [continue reading] Scotland’s new environment watchdog needs more teeth

If you believe your local environment is being harmed due to the failure of a public body to meet environmental standards, you can raise an official complaint and request an investigation. Well, you can until the end of December 2020, that is, when the Brexit transition period ends. A major benefit of EU membership is … [continue reading]