media release
everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 26 organisations, ONE voice)
Half Time Report
How is the Scottish Executive doing on the environmental commitments it made in 2003?
Tuesday 6 September 2005
After the Holyrood elections in 2003, experts from across Scotland’s environmental network Scottish Environment LINK analysed the commitments from the Lib-Lab Coalition and outlined what would need to be done to achieve them. So, at half time – how are they doing? Environmental commentator and LINK President, Fred Edwards said:
“Overall, our half time assessment shows highs and lows. Some of the positives are ‘goals’ scored in the SEA legislation and progress on the marine environment – the latter just needs a commitment to legislation to get the ball over the line. Meanwhile, the performance has been marred by some poor play on planning and motorway construction.
“As we enter the second half of this Parliament – with today's ‘half time talk’ by the First Minister - the Executive needs to continue its good performances but cut out its poor play. Such a re-focussing could enable full delivery of the ‘green thread’ by the end of the four year Parliament.”
GOALS! The commitment to legislate for a tool that will factor the environment in at the beginning of the decision making process is being delivered and is set to be one of the most progressive areas of environmental legislation in the UK. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 included a number of provisions that put Scotland ahead of the rest of the UK. On the goals, Fred Edwards said:
“Securing a lead in Strategic Environmental Assessment,
means Scotland leads – even at a European level. The Green Jobs
Strategy for Scotland demonstrates some of the opportunities to push
forward and not just sit
back defending the status quo. Passing the Nature Conservation Act was
a great goal for Scotland, but commitment to see it through implementation
is just as important and should not be neglected. Let’s not concede
in this area!
Promising moves but not yet scored… The Executive has acknowledged
that the marine environment needs joined up thinking to be managed effectively
and has started with the development of a marine and coastal strategy
and established a cross cutting stakeholder group.
Defending the interests of our important marine environment and making sure that all sectors work as a team to safeguard this important resource is a start, although this defence will remain shaky unless secured with legislation, through a Marine Act for Scotland. The Marine National Park, being delivered, can be a national showpiece.
Warning…
On the yellow cards: It is good to see Scotland being ambitious, but in some areas we have been too cautious. We should be confident to move more farming subsidies to deliver public goods rather than intensive farming, a greater shift in funds could deliver more commitments on rural development.
It is a shame to see warnings issued on areas where we
can do better. The Partnership promised that communities would be more
involved in the
planning system, yet rather than levelling the playing field, Executive
proposals could lead to a reduction in people’s rights.
We know that we can get into get into trouble without a strategy. We
need to be concentrating on both conserving energy, while looking to
alternative sources to keep ahead of the game. Dealing with challenges
on an ad hoc basis and preparations late in the day, means we cannot
anticipate opportunities and prepare for difficulties.
Scotland is talking up sustainable development in statements, yet during the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development, sustainable development is not being integrated into our work on education and learning. There is still time to sort out our approach to sustainable development – we look forward to seeing developments in the second half of the Parliamentary term.
Serious foul play
On the red cards: Referring to the plan to build the M74 extension, despite a public inquiry recommending against it, he said:
“It is a source of disappointment to see that, despite the warnings of officials, the overwhelming desire to build motorways has brought about a display of serious environmental misconduct.
“Government should be expected to set a good example, by taking responsibility for tackling climate change and leading the effort to tackle foul play – not contributing to the problem. Scotland must get its act together in this area, mitigating and getting to grips with climate change. At present, we are seeing lots of good intentions, but specific actions seem to undermine these - the partnership’s game plan should be revised to ensure that actions deliver results.”
Half Time Report: Progress on parts of the gameplan is very good, but all parts of the team are not working to the same end. There is plenty potential, as demonstrated in some areas. We have an opportunity to see more goals in the second half, to produce wins for Scotland and to improve, still further, our international reputation.
Contact: Jessica Pepper, LINK Parliamentary Officer on 0131 225 4345 or 07980 852562 or Lloyd Austin, LINK Chair on 07801 030397.
Editors notes:
1. Scottish Environment LINK is the liaison network for Scotland’s voluntary sector environmental organisations. www.scotlink.org
2. Check out the detail of how the Scottish Executive are doing on the ‘everyone’s watching’ review grid (Word doc).
3. The Partnership Agreement can be viewed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs-00.asp
4. Take action to secure Real Rights in the planning process at www.everyonecan.org