The Trust has joined its partners in Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of 35 Scottish environmental charities, in welcoming the Scottish Government’s consultation on environmental principles and governance in Scotland.
At a time of great ecological crisis, we believe the prospect of Brexit threatens to unravel critical environmental protections. We urge you to respond to the consultation through an online petition calling for a new Scottish Environment Act.
Our Head of Policy Dougie Peedle said: “80% of Scotland’s environmental laws come from the EU, and a combination of strong legislation and effective implementation means we have one of the best protected environments in the world. Sliding back from this position when we leave the European Union could spell disaster for wildlife.”
“Nature is our life support network. To ensure it remains protected we need the government to introduce a strong Environment Act to replace existing protections, as well as replacing the unrivalled support and enforcement roles of bodies such as the European Commission and the European Court of Justice.”
LINK members are confident that responses to the consultation will reveal the need for Scotland to have its own Environment Act. This is why through the joint campaign Fight for Scotland’s Nature, we are urging Scottish Government to put forward a Scottish Environment Act that:
- Embeds EU and international environmental principles in Scots law,
- Creates an independent and well-resourced watchdog to enforce environmental law in the same way that the European Commission and European Court of Justice do today, and
- Sets clear and ambitious targets for environmental protection alongside adequate financial resources.
Joyce McMillan, President of Scottish Environment LINK said: “The need to protect our environment is not an option, but an absolute necessity for a healthy and sustainable future for Scotland and its people.
“I urge everyone to sign our petition, and join the fight for Scotland’s nature. With 1 in 11 species in Scotland at risk of extinction, we cannot afford to see any reduction in environmental standards. On the contrary, we need to take radical steps to strengthen the protections that will ensure a long-term future for the rich and wonderful natural ecosystems on which all of us depend.”
The Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of Scotland’s environment is open for consultation until 11 May.
Sign the Fight for Scotland’s Nature petition at www.fightforscotlandsnature.scot/action