Environmental Standards Scotland

We want to wish all our followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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 last financial year.

We note the launch of Scottish Water’s online overflow map detailing near real-time data from wastewater overflows across Scotland. This interactive map will allow people to search their area to find out if a storm overflow is operating and where recent activity has occurred. You can access the map here: https://lnkd.in/eCUsYBhM This change has taken place as result of one of the recommendations in an ESS report that called for greater information and transparency on storm overflows in Scotland. You can read our report on the topic of storm overflows in Scotland here: https://lnkd.in/eiiNJBDZ We await a full response from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water to the recommendations in our report. 

Uncontrolled wrasse fishing activities can adversely impact our coastal ecosystems and habitats. That’s why we welcome the Scottish Government Marine Directorate's commitment to ensuring an appropriate assessment will now take place before the start of the next fishing season in May 2025, in respect of wrasse fishing on protected areas and species in Scotland. You can read our case update on wrasse fishing activities in Scotland, in full here: https://lnkd.in/dfNmUB2q

We’re pleased to announce that we’re partnering with SEFARI Gateway on a special Fellowship to research Scotland’s environmental regulatory alignment with the EU and other international institutions.    This research will help ESS to assess the extent to which there is alignment between environmental standards, laws and regulations in Scotland and the European Union, or other international best practice, and to assess the environmental consequences of any divergences. This project will require knowledge of European and International environmental laws, regulation and policy, as well as an understanding and knowledge of the data and evidence sources on the environment and environmental performance in Scotland.   Closing date: Friday 19 December 2024 Funding: Maximum of £20,000 for upto a maximum of 28 days FTE will be available to cover all salary costs.   More information and how to apply can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dEqUDyYk  

Today we have published our People Strategy. The document sets out our approach to recruiting, training and engaging our workforce at ESS as we seek to create a culture that we all want to work in and be proud of. Although this is a corporate document and comes with a set of parameters we need to work within, it has been written first and foremost with people at its heart - developed by the team, for the team. You can read it in full here: bit.ly/ESSPeopleStrategy

We are pleased to announce we have reached an informal resolution with The Scottish Government following a representation we received on the designation of bathing waters in Scotland. You can read the case here: https://bit.ly/3CfTcKF

Today we have published our Annual Report and Accounts covering the period from 01 April 2023 – 31 March 2024. Three years into the life of ESS, we continue to establish ourselves as a key component of environmental governance in Scotland. This report represents our second annual overview of our work. Inclusivity is a priority for us at ESS, and during this reporting period we were pleased to have received representations from individuals and community groups from right across Scotland, covering a range of environmental issues from air quality and climate change to land and soil. Our successful community engagement programme also continues to allow us to meet with groups around Scotland to hear first-hand about their environmental concerns. You can find out more about this programme on our website: bit.ly/3UI3ObF As well as being inclusive, we aim to ensure our work at ESS is accessible. That’s why today we are also publishing an easy read document outlining our remit and explaining what we do. We would encourage you to share this among your family and friends who may be interested in our work. This year, we have also translated the forewords in our Annual Report and Accounts into Gaelic. You can read our full Annual Report and Accounts here: https://bit.ly/48yaheD You can read and download our Easy Read document here: https://bit.ly/3YsV7mv

Today we have published a new report on the issue of marine litter in Scotland. Our report analyses the current evidence regarding the composition and distribution of key marine sources and the effectiveness of existing legislation and policy to tackle the problem. Our top recommendation for the Scottish Government? Embed a ‘source-to-sea’ approach into future policy and legislation to tackle the marine litter which is polluting Scotland’s beaches and seas. This requires legislation and policy to be developed that considers the relationship between land and sea. Most of our marine litter comes from land, so we need to stop litter at its source before it reaches the marine environment. Read our report in full here: bit.ly/4ebBMvD

We have published our first Biodiversity Duty Report outlining what we are doing across our organisation – from our investigatory work to staff engagement - to help protect Scotland’s biodiversity. For example, our ESS investigations team have considered a range of environmental concerns related to biodiversity, resulting in additional protections and improved outcomes for Scotland’s nature. These include:   - supporting nature conservation - safeguarding protected species - protecting freshwater fish You can read more about what we are doing to protect Scotland’s biodiversity here: bit.ly/401Ubry