Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland
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Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland
@ercscot.bsky.social
370 followers 660 following 65 posts
Justice for people and the environment.

ercs.scot
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ercscot.bsky.social
A month ago, we gathered with friends and colleagues to celebrate ERCS's fifth birthday - and share our plans for the future.

Read more in our blog: www.ercs.scot/news/celebra...
October 15, 2025 at 1:50 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
ERCS today launches our new Advocacy Manifesto, offering a route map for political parties to protect human rights, improve access to justice and strengthen environmental governance.

Read more: www.ercs.scot/news/ercs-ad...

#advocacy #environmentalrights #lawreform #accesstojustice
October 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
We have had 500 enquiries to ERCS's free legal advice service!

Read our snapshot to see who, where and what environmental issues people in Scotland are seeking legal advice on.

Snapshot of advice service – 500 enquiries www.ercs.scot/resources/sn...
August 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
Last week, we joined #FoP2025 to discuss environmental justice. Thank you to all the brilliant speakers and organisers!

We left reflecting on how much people care about their environment & the growing awareness that we need better accountability from public bodies to hold polluters to account.
Speakers at the Festival of Politics panel event on environmental justice: Sarah Boyack MSP, Professor Jill Belch, Dr Shivali Fifield, David Lintott and Henry Swithinbank.
August 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Last week, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark Advisory Opinion on States' obligations regarding climate change.

This was a pivotal moment for all those seeking to uphold the right to a healthy environment - but what does it mean for Scotland?

Read our blog: tinyurl.com/2z2u9a5x
July 31, 2025 at 12:18 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
We are calling on the Scottish Government
to strengthen the ban on engine idling, which releases toxic exhaust fumes into the air.

So far they've refused - but change is in the air.

Read more: www.ercs.scot/blog/you-mus...

#pollution #campaigns #publichealth #airquality
Image shows car traffic releasing toxic exhaust fumes, with the blog title overlaid stating 'You must be choking: Little appetite from the Scottish Government to combat air pollution from engine idling'
July 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
In ERCS's June newsletter, our Chief Officer Shivali Fifield writes about how we can stand up to the bullies.

Read the newsletter: www.ercs.scot/news/ercs-ju...
Sign up to our mailing list: www.ercs.scot/mailing-list/
ERCS logo and the text: 'June newsletter'.
June 27, 2025 at 10:34 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Despite opposition from the UK, the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee has decided that our formal complaint about the Scottish Civil Justice Council is admissible.

We hope that the UK will now respond to our concerns seriously.

🔗 Read update: www.ercs.scot/news/complai...
Photo credit: Sheriff Court House, Perth, Scotland by Brokentaco (CC BY 2.0). Text: Complaint about the Scottish Civil Justice Council passes first hurdle In March, ERCS submitted a formal complaint arguing that the Scottish Civil Justice Council had breached our right to participate in the making of environmental laws. This right is enshrined in the Aarhus Convention. Despite opposition from the UK, the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee decided that the complaint is admissible. Quote from Dr Ben Christman, ERCS Legal Director: "The way we make decisions matters. Public participation is a critical part of creating fair and functional environmental laws."
June 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
📣 Scotland Demands Better 📣

ERCS is backing Poverty Alliance's call.

#WeDemandBetter investment for life's essentials - like affordable homes, good public transport, a thriving natural environment, and strong public services.

www.povertyalliance.org/scotland-dem...
June 20, 2025 at 9:33 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Powerful lobbyists oppose climate action - but we can use the law to bring this to light 🔎

Our new Guide explains how lobbying is regulated in Scotland, where to find information, and how to submit a complaint to the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

www.ercs.scot/resources/gu...
Image of a handshake. Guide to lobbying in Scotland. Text: Regulated lobbying in Scotland must be registered and reported. You can find information on the official Lobbying Register, or through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests and on other registers. You can also submit a complaint about undisclosed lobbying. Guide on ercs.scot.
June 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
💧 New blog 💧

Bathing water designation came to our attention when we were contacted by the River Almond Action Group (RAAG).

Over two years after our representation to Environmental Standards Scotland, bathing water designation remains murkier than ever …

Read: www.ercs.scot/news/bathing...
June 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Our guide to planning enforcement is out now!

The guide is intended to help people to challenge breaches of planning controls & ensure conditions are met that protect the environment.

Read now at: www.ercs.scot/resources/gu...

#planning #democracy #publicparticipation
Image shows aerial view of housing and greenspace, with text overlaid stating 'guide - planning enforcement'. Image shows builders on scaffolding with text overlaid stating 'local councils are responsible for enforcing planning controls.'
June 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Scottish Refugee Council invited ERCS to hear from 29 refugees and asylum seekers about their lived experiences of accessing greenspaces and healthy food.

This was an additional piece to our Race & Right to a Healthy Environment work.

Read here: www.ercs.scot/news/race-th...
June 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
As part of the Everyone’s Environment project, 13 charities wrote to the Scottish Government in April to call for a human rights-based approach to environmental policy.

We were delighted to receive their response, which noted the Scottish Human Rights Bill.

Read: www.ercs.scot/resources/le...
Cover of the Everyone's Environment policy position statement: Making environmental policy inclusive in Scotland, April 2025
June 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
How can we use lobbying laws to challenge the influence of big businesses and wealthy individuals in politics?

Join our webinar to hear about how our lobbying laws work and discuss whether they need to be strengthened to prevent corruption.

🗓️ 02/07, 3.30-5pm
🎟️ Book: www.ercs.scot/news/lobbyin...
An image of two people shaking hands. Text: 'The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016: Howe to enforce it and does it need to be strengthened? 3:30-5pm on 2 July 2025
June 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
Guest blog: Why law students are challenging their future employers over the climate crisis.

As part of the Fossil Free Law campaign launched by ERCS with law students across Scotland, two students explain why they are taking action.

Read more: tinyurl.com/38fezfjd

#FossilFreeLaw #ClimateJustice
May 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
📣 Our latest Voices for Justice piece:

Here from Mark, who was concerned about the environmental harm of a local quarry and its storage and processing of incinerator waste, contaminating the adjacent forest.

www.ercs.scot/resources/de...

📷: Goathill Quarry by Mark
Goathill Quarry by Mark
May 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
In our latest long read, ERCS Legal Director Dr Ben Christman breaks down the failures of the Scottish Government’s review on environmental governance, in which they refused to strengthen environmental protections.

Read: www.ercs.scot/news/a-bit-o...

Subscribe: www.ercs.scot/mailing-list/
May 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
📢 Scottish charities call on Holyrood to make environmental policies more inclusive

With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.

www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
Charities that endorsed the Everyone's Environment recommendations for making environmental policy inclusive in Scotland are: the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, Greenspace Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Human Rights Consortium Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, NPC, The Poverty Alliance, SCVO, Verture, Woodcraft Folk, YMCA Scotland, Young Sea Changers Scotland, and Youth Link Scotland.
April 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
🌎 Take action this #EarthDay

Earth Day is about collective mobilising to protect our environment. Here are three actions you can take today in Scotland 🧵

#EarthActionDay #OurPowerOurPlanet #earthday2025 #collectiveaction
Photo of the Grangemouth refinery, with the text 'Actions for Earth Day in Scotland'.
April 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM
ercscot.bsky.social
Our April newsletter is here!

🟢 Increasing support for action to defend our environmental rights
🟢 Our latest long read on the failures of the Scottish Government's review of environmental governance
🟢 Campaign updates

Read: www.ercs.scot/resources/ap...
Subscribe: www.ercs.scot/mailing-list/
April 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Why have newts and bats become public enemy number one?

Last month, we held a webinar in response to the UK government's current hostility towards concerns about the environment and planning system.

Clare from Planning Democracy wrote a summary of the conversation: www.ercs.scot/news/defendi...
Newt with the text: 'Why have newts and bats become public enemy number one?'
April 16, 2025 at 10:29 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
🔎 Our updated guide on accessing environmental information is out now!

Read about our rights around requesting information & how to appeal unsatisfactory responses - or no response at all.

➡️ Guide: www.ercs.scot/resources/gu...
Image of a quarry, with an 'i' icon and the text 'Accessing environmental information'. Image of a river, with the text: 'We have a right to access environmental information held by public bodies in Scotland.' 'Covers the natural environment, human impact & relevant policies, plans, programmes'. 'Read how to request information & appeal unsatisfactory responses'. Find the guide on ercs.scot.
April 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
Earlier this month, the Scottish Parliament hosted a debate on the Aarhus Convention & access to environmental justice.

It was a key step forward, with agreement on the need to reduce legal expenses & establish a specialist environment court.

Read the highlights in our blog: tinyurl.com/yykswemd
April 14, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ercscot.bsky.social
What does decision-making informed by lived experience look like?

D, a member of the Environmental Justice Network, wrote about their experience on the decision-making panel for the Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland, hosted by @corra.scot.

Read: www.corra.scot/from-skye-to...
Dr Shivali Fifield, ERCS Chief Officer said: “D’s reflections not only highlight the fairness and diligence of the panel, but also the value of bringing human rights defenders from all backgrounds together to learn and find solidarity.”
April 9, 2025 at 9:38 AM