Various public authorities make decisions every day that impact on our environment, communities and individuals. These decisions may be in connection with a new road or a licence for a new waste disposal system that may end up toxic or unsustainable.
If these decisions are poorly made they can have serious impacts on our environment. The environment can’t take legal action, that’s up to us. However, it’s very costly to take action via the courts on environmental issues.
There is an international treaty that gives people the right to be informed and involved in decision-making that impacts on our environment – the Aarhus Convention. But, we don’t have easy, affordable access to the courts to ensure poor decisions can be challenged.
Going to court to defend a healthy, clean environment is a luxury that only the time and money rich can afford. It needs to be made easier for individuals and community groups to challenge poor decisions.
Currently the Scottish Executive denies that Scotland is in breach of the Aarhus Convention but the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee wants the new Parliament to investigate further.
For more on this issue please read this briefing.
