Maggie Chapman MSP, Deputy Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament has lodged a motion on the right to access environmental justice.
Motion S6M-01866 raises awareness of the human right to a healthy environment, and the fact that accessing the courts in Scotland to try to protect the environment is unaffordable to many, contrary to the requirements of the Aarhus Convention.
The motion welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure that a review of environmental justice, including the case for an environmental court, will start by spring 2023. It cites ERCS’s recent report ‘Why Scotland needs an environmental court or tribunal’ as one that informs the debate ahead of that consultation.
A motion is a way that MSPs can raise awareness of issues in the Scottish Parliament. If MSPs from three political parties sign up to this motion, it is eligible for a debate in Parliament. In addition, the increased attention can help build momentum and enable progress.
Maggie Chapman MSP’s motion has achieved cross-party support. This means that MSPs from three political parties have signed it. Cross-party support means that that the motion is now eligible for a debate in Parliament. This could help increase attention and build momentum around the need for enforceable environmental rights and an environmental court.
How you can help
You can contact your MSP to ask them to support Motion S6M-01866. Even though the motion has already received cross-party support and therefore is eligible for debate, contacting your MSP is a good way to raise their awareness and engagement with environmental rights.
If you don’t know who your MSPs are you can find out and contact them via www.writetothem.com.
