Find out about what the right is, why it is important, and how we can use it to protect people and planet ...
An enforceable right to a healthy environment: Now is the time for Scotland to deliver
We all depend on nature. A healthy environment is fundamental to the right to life, and is integral to addressing the root causes of food and fuel insecurity, health inequalities, and the cost-of-living crisis ...
Campaigners aghast as UK Government snubs call for equal rights in planning – press release
The UK Government has snubbed calls from campaigners to review planning appeal rights across Scotland, following an official complaint to a top UN body ...
Bathing water case update: the good, the bad, and the ugly
In March, we submitted a formal complaint to Environmental Standards Scotland about the prohibitively high threshold for applicants seeking bathing water designation for Scotland’s beaches, lochs and rivers ...
Equal rights of appeal – update
A top UN body has backed calls from environmental and community campaigners to review planning appeal rights across Scotland. This intervention follows repeated calls for equal rights of appeal which have been ignored by the Scottish Government ...
Access to justice on the environment: A review of progress so far
It’s been a whirlwind few months for anyone concerned about access to justice on the environment. Our Policy & Advocacy Officer, Benji, gives an update on what's gone well and what more there is to do ...
ERCS challenges Scottish Government over bathing water status
ERCS has made a complaint to Environmental Standards Scotland regarding the government’s unlawful approach to the designation of bathing waters in Scotland ...
New briefing: Protective Expenses Orders – access to information remains a barrier to justice
In October 2021, ERCS submitted a Freedom of Information request to investigate the impact of Protective Expenses Orders – which are intended to reduce the cost of litigation for environmental cases. A year later, we are still in the dark about how they are really working ...