Environmental Standards Scotland
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is a public body set up to ensure the effectiveness of environmental law, and prevent enforcement gaps arising from the UK leaving the European Union.
We are here to independently monitor and investigate the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland, and public authorities’ compliance with it.
Raise an environmental concern
One of the ways in which we carry out our function is to investigate representations made to us.
Find out what we can investigate, how to raise a concern and what cases we are currently working on.
A video overview of our work
At ESS, we are working hard to ensure Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high quality environment and are protected from harm through the consistent application of effective environmental laws.
Watch our video to learn more about our work over the 2023/24 financial year.
Video Transcript
0:00 [Music]
0:01 At Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) our job is to scrutinise
0:05 if Scottish public bodies are complying with environmental law
0:09 and assess how effective that law is.
0:12 In the last financial year, our team has work on subjects ranging from
0:16 water and air quality to biodiversity and climate change.
0:21 We received 68 representations from members of the public
0:25 and environmental groups from all across Scotland,
0:28 highlighting their individual environmental concerns, and we launched
0:32 investigations into Special Protection Areas for protected birds
0:35 and the management of Scottish fisheries.
0:39 We also contributed to consultations on new environmental law
0:43 and shared our views on the circular economy.
0:47 In several cases, we worked with public bodies
0:50 to address concerns through informal resolution.
0:54 We reached informal resolutions on aspects of water quality and
0:58 how the Scottish Government assesses the impact of its infrastructure plans
1:02 on greenhouse gas emissions.
1:05 Finally, we established a community engagement programme so we can speak
1:09 directly to members of the public about their environmental concerns.
1:14 Find out more about our work and how you can get in touch
1:17 at environmentalstandards.scot.
1:20 [Music]
1:21 [Music fades]