Our casework
Environmental Standards Scotland will undertake investigations into public authorities’ compliance with, and the effectiveness of, environmental law. Before deciding to investigate, we may have to carry out detailed enquiries to understand the nature of the issue and the grounds for ESS’ involvement. We will then assess whether matters can be appropriately resolved by agreement with the public authorities and without recourse to our formal enforcement powers. These enquiries and assessments fall under what we call our ‘pre-investigation’ work.
Where we have decided to investigate a matter of concern we will add this to our forward programme of work, setting out the broad issues that we expect to be investigating and the relevant timescales. Our approach to prioritising and undertaking these investigations is laid out in section 5 of our Interim Strategic Plan.
This page sets out the nature of the matters we are currently working on, which includes our live investigations and pre-investigation casework.
To raise an issue with us that you think we should investigate, please see our page on How to raise a concern.
Live investigations
| Investigation | Summary | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Air quality in Scotland | An investigation into the Scottish Government's plans and approach to ensuring future compliance with legal limits on nitrogen oxide levels. | Full details available here |
Pre-investigation casework
| Pre-investigation | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices | Consideration of the licencing and enforcement regimes in respect of the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices in the marine environment. | Under consideration |
| Local Authority climate change reporting | Consideration of the effectiveness and implementation of local authorities’ climate change responsibilities. | Under consideration |
| Licencing and removal of weirs | Consideration of the licencing and enforcement regimes in respect of redundant weirs and structures in Scottish rivers. | Under consideration |
| Ramsar site protection | Consideration of the effectiveness of the site protection system in respect of ‘Ramsar’ sites (wetland sites of international importance) in Scotland. | Under consideration |
Latest News
Latest News
New role advertised: Head of Corporate Services and Communications
Recruitment is now open for the following post within ESS: Head of Corporate Services and Communications - closing date 20...
New CEO at Environmental Standards Scotland
Mark Roberts has been appointed as the new permanent Chief Executive Officer of Environmental Standards Scotland. View and download further...
New roles advertised
Recruitment is now open for the following posts within ESS: Lawyer - closing date 10 May Audit and Risk Committee...
Contact Us
How can we help you?
If you want to raise a formal concern over how environmental law is being applied by a public authority in Scotland, please see our pages on How to raise a concern.
For Freedom of Information and Subject Access requests, please see our Freedom of Information pages.
Otherwise, if you have a general query, please contact us by completing this form. If you are unable to send us a message through this form please leave a message on 0808 196 4000.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Email: media@environmentalstandards.scot
Tel: 0141 221 0707
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