INVESTIGATIONS
Ongoing and Completed Casework
Our Casework
Completed Investigations
| Investigation | Summary of Findings | More information |
| Air quality in Scotland | ESS identified weaknesses in the current operational and governance arrangements to improve local air quality and ensure future compliance with nitrogen dioxide levels. The action ESS has taken will ensure that appropriate measures are being implemented in as short a time as possible and contribute to establishing a more detailed picture of the state of air quality across Scotland. | Summary ESS Report - Available here
Full ESS Report - Available here FAQs - Available here NZET Report - Available here |
Live Investigations
| Investigation | Summary | More information |
| Climate change delivery | An investigation into the systems in place to support local authorities in the delivery of climate change targets. | Full details available here |
Pre-Investigations Casework
| Pre-investigation | Summary | Status |
| Use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices | Consideration of the licencing and enforcement regimes in respect of the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices in the marine environment. | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – informal resolution achieved with Marine Scotland
Summary Report - Available here Full Report - Available here |
| Local Authority climate change reporting | Consideration of the effectiveness and implementation of local authorities’ climate change responsibilities. | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – moved to investigation |
| Licencing and removal of weirs | Consideration of the licencing and enforcement regimes in respect of redundant weirs and structures in Scottish rivers. | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – case will be subject to ongoing monitoring
Summary Report - Available here First progress update: May 2023 – Available here |
| Ramsar site protection | Consideration of the effectiveness of the site protection system in respect of ‘Ramsar’ sites (wetland sites of international importance) in Scotland. | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – case will be subject to ongoing monitoring
Summary Report - Available here |
| Access to Environmental Justice | Consideration of Scotland’s implementation of the requirements of the Aarhus Convention in respect of access to justice in environmental matters. | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – case will be subject to ongoing monitoring
Summary Report - Available here |
| The storage and spreading of sewage sludge on land in Scotland | Consideration of the delayed implementation of recommendations contained within the Scottish Government’s Review of the Storage and Spreading of Sewage Sludge on Land in Scotland. | Closed
Summary Report – Available here |
| Local Authority permitted development policies | Consideration of local permitted planning policies and practices in respect of development proposals on land designated as a special area of conservation (SAC) or/and a special protection area (SPA). | Pre-investigation enquiries concluded – informal resolution achieved with Local Authority
Summary Report – Available here |
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Enforcement of Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) Licences |
Consideration of SEPA’s duty to enforce licence conditions as required by the CAR regulations. | Under consideration |
| Designation of Bathing Water Sites in Scotland | Consideration of the requirements to designate new bathing waters in Scotland. | Under consideration |
| Habitats Regulations Appraisal regime | Consideration of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal process in respect of whether a plan or project may have adverse effects on protected European sites in Scotland. | Under consideration |
| Climate Change Plan | Consideration of the effectiveness of the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan | Under consideration |
| PPC Permitting Duties | Consideration of SEPA’s duty to maintain a public register for PPC information | Under consideration |
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Sustainable Management of Fisheries
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Consideration of the effectiveness of the law and systems surrounding the bycatch and discard of fish. | Under consideration |
| Infrastructure Investment Plan | Consideration of Scottish Ministers’ duties under Section 94(A)2 of the 2009 Climate Change (Scotland) Act to produce an assessment of the extent to which infrastructure investment will contribute to Scottish emissions targets. | Under Consideration
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| Assessment of Controlled Activities on Water Environment | Consideration of how SEPA assesses the impact of controlled activities on other users of the water environment before determining a CAR license application. | Under Consideration |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations | Consideration of the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 | Under Consideration |
Latest News
Latest News
Video of ESS Six Month Parliamentary Update Available
We recently gave an update to the Scottish Parliament about the work we have been involved in over the past...
New role advertised: Biodiversity Policy Analyst
Recruitment is now open for the following post within ESS: Biodiversity Policy Analyst - closing date 10 September 2023 For...
ESS commissions review of impacts of antimicrobial resistance on Scotland’s environment
ESS is looking to commission a literature review on the impact(s) of antimicrobial resistance on Scotland’s environment, to help deliver...
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