Members of the Sleat Nature Group recently met online with Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS), to find out how ESS could help groups and individuals raise concerns about environmental issues. To bring the work of ESS to a wider audience, Lucy Fitzpatrick of ESS has written the following article.
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is an independent public body set up to monitor and investigate public bodies’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of the law, and how it is implemented and applied in Scotland. By doing so, we hope to ensure that Scotland’s people and nature can benefit from a high quality environment.
There are two ways in which we can fulfil our role. Firstly, we can decide to examine aspects of environmental law based upon our own analysis and monitoring work. For example, our recent analytical work has included the assessment of the operation of storm overflows in Scotland, and elsewhere we have conducted a call for evidence on the issue and impact of invasive non-native species.
On the other hand, we can receive information from individuals, communities, and organisations about environmental concerns – we call these representations. If a representation meets our criteria, we will investigate further. Recently, we have completed investigative work that will lead to improved protection for Scottish wetlands, and next year we will report on the outcomes of investigations into bycatch fishing and special protection areas for threatened birds.
We value the views of people living on the Isle of Skye and are committed to listening to their concerns about the compliance with and effectiveness of environmental law. In doing so, we aim to be representative of the whole of Scotland, ensuring that island communities as well as mainland voices are heard and reflected in our work.
If you would like to share an environmental concern with ESS or have any questions about the process, please contact our Investigations, Standards and Compliance team by emailing representations@environmentalstandards.scot.
If you are interested in organising an engagement event with ESS to hear more about our work and how you can make representations to us, then please contact our engagement team at enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot for more information.
Thank you.