The Trust has welcomed a recommendation made by the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in Scots law.
“There is growing international awareness that the quality of our lives is inextricably linked to the health of our natural environment.”
Jonny Hughes
A new report published by the group, entitled Recommendations for a new human rights framework to improve people’s lives, highlights that by giving increased status to environmental rights Scotland would join over 100 countries around the world that have recognised the right to a healthy environment.
Our Chief Executive Jonny Hughes said: “We are encouraged by today’s recommendation. There is growing international awareness that the quality of our lives is inextricably linked to the health of our natural environment.
“The natural world affects us in obvious ways, for example through the quality of the air we breathe, and the attractiveness of our surroundings. But it also supports us in hidden ways, such as protecting us from flooding and providing many of the world’s medicines. Ultimately, nature is our life support system.
“Establishing the right to a healthy environment in Scots law would be a welcome step forward and we hope that the First Minister will act on this recommendation.
“We believe further progress can be achieved through the introduction of a strong Scottish Environment Act that ensures important protections for our habitats and wildlife are retained after Brexit, and increasing access to environmental justice through the creation of a specialised court.”