Tag: Environmental Standards Scotland

Environmental Standards Scotland asks residents in Edinburgh for their views on new five-year Strategy 

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) has launched a public consultation on a draft of its new Strategy that will set the direction of work for the organisation for the next five years.

The consultation will give organisations and members of the public in Edinburgh with an interest in ESS’ role the opportunity to provide their views and help shape the final Strategy, which will be submitted to Parliament later this year.

The draft Strategy sets out a clear framework for how ESS will ensure public bodies in Scotland are complying with environmental law, as well as how ESS will scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland, and how it is implemented and applied.

The document includes an updated vision and new strategic objectives for the organisation, and sets out a fresh approach to prioritisation within its work. The consultation will also seek feedback on ESS’ proposed response to a recommendation made to ESS by Scottish Ministers following the Scottish Government’s review of environmental governance.

Mark Roberts, Chief Executive of ESS, said: ‘This consultation will enable us to refine our final Strategy which will be submitted to the Scottish Parliament for approval later this year.

‘Environmental law directly and indirectly impacts every resident, business and community in Edinburgh so we’re keen to hear from as wide a range of people and groups as possible. I would encourage anyone with an interest in our work to take part.’

ESS was established in October 2021 to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role after Brexit.

ESS’ first Strategy covered the period from 2022-2025. During this time, ESS has investigated compliance with a wide range of environmental law on issues including the management of special protection areas for birds, air quality and wrasse fishing. The organisation has also examined the effectiveness of environmental law in areas such as storm overflows, marine litter and soils.

ESS’ full draft Strategy can be viewed here

Consultation closing date: 29 August 2025

Access the ESS consultation here

Air quality watchdog says councils aren’t doing enough to protect health

Campaigners have welcomed a report from an independent body that reveals air pollution in Scotland isn’t being dealt with.

Friends of the Earth Scotland say the report, from Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) – the body that scrutinises environmental law – shows that air pollution problems go far beyond the biggest cities and that councils and the Scottish Government are failing to address it.

This morning (Thursday 29 September) the report was presented in the Scottish Parliament, and the Scottish Government will now respond to the report’s findings.

The recommended measures from ESS will require local authorities to prepare plans for improving air quality in local areas with specific actions and dates. 

Scotland has breached air pollution legal limits for many years, particularly for nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant from diesel vehicle exhausts.

Gavin Thomson, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “We have known for decades the devastating health impacts caused by pollution from Scotland’s roads.

“Traffic fumes cause heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems like asthma. There’s also mounting evidence on the risks to cognitive function from the air we breathe, including links with dementia. 

“We have seen very little action to address the huge damage to public health caused by air pollution. The four Low Emission Zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen will be completed in 2024, a full 14 years after Scotland first breached legal limits for diesel pollution. 

“There are huge gaps in policy and governance that this report from ESS has identified. The report explains that dangerous air pollution problems persist in areas outside our biggest cities. Suburban towns such as Blantyre and Johnstone are highlighted as having recently breached legal limits, so Low Emission Zones in our biggest cities cant solve the problem. 

“We need action from the Government and councils to limit car use, bring buses back into public ownership to restore lost routes, and make it much easier and safer to walk and cycle.”

ESS-AIR-QUALITY-INVESTIGATION-REPORTDownload