Publications
Publications
Our aim to publish as much information as we can about the work that we do.
On this page you will find various documents and records relating to our corporate publications such as our Strategic and Business Plans and Annual Reports.
You will also find documents relating to the work carried out by our Investigations and Strategy and Analysis Teams such as completed investigations reports and our Baseline Evidence Reviews which inform our analytical priorities.
Governance Documents
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Accessibility | Website accessibility statement | October 2021 |
| Audit and Risk Committee – Terms of Reference | Terms of Reference for the A&R Committee | December 2021 |
| ESS Business Plan 2021/22 - 2022/23 | ESS Business Plan to end of FY22 | January 2021 |
| ESS Business Plan 2022/23 - 2023/24 | ESS Business Plan to end of FY23 | March 2023 |
| Board members declarations of Interest | Declarations of Interest by ESS Board Members | August 2022 |
| Complaints Policy | Our policy on complaints | June 2022 |
| Cookie Policy | How we manage cookies on the website | October 2021 |
| Data Protection Policy | How we protect your data | February 2022 |
| Framework Document | The framework sets out the relationship between ESS, Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament | October 2021 |
| Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) | Joint MoU between the Office of Environmental Protection, Environmental Standards Scotland and Interim Environmental Protection Assessor for Wales | October 2022 |
| Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) | Joint MoU between Environmental Standards Scotland and RESAS on the Strategic Research Programme | January 2023 |
| Privacy Notice | ESS’ privacy notice | September 2022 |
| Standing Orders | The Standing Orders set out the arrangements for the Board Members acting as the Board | June 2022 |
| Whistleblowing Policy | This policy sets out how we deal with reports from employees of Scottish public authorities and others who have concerns about how their organisation handles its environmental responsibilities | December 2022 |
Corporate Reports
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Sustainability Plan | Phase 1: 2022-2025 | January 2023 |
| Communication and Engagement Strategy | Final version approved by the Board | December 2022 |
| Strategic Plan | Parliamentary approved | November 2022 |
| Proposed Strategic Plan | ESS Proposed Strategic Plan laid to Scottish Parliament | September 2022 |
| ESS Annual Report | Annual Report by ESS for part year of 2020-21 | May 2022 |
| Interim Strategic Plan | ESS’ Interim Strategic Plan | October 2021 |
Board Minutes
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| DRAFT Board Minutes – February 2023 | Draft February 2023 Board Minutes | February 2023 |
| Board Minutes – December 2022 | December 2022 Board Minutes | February 2023 |
| Board Minutes – September 2022 | September 2022 Board Minutes | December 2022 |
| Board Minutes – July 2022 | July 2022 Board Minutes | September 2022 |
| Board Minutes – May 2022 | May 2022 Board Minutes | July 2022 |
| Board Minutes – March 2022 | March 2022 Board Minutes | May 2022 |
| Board Minutes – February 2022 | February 2022 Board Minutes | March 2022 |
| Board Minutes – December 2021 | December 2021 Board Minutes | February 2022 |
| Board Minutes – October 2021 | October 2021 Board Minutes | December 2021 |
| Board Minutes – September 2021 | September 2021 Board Minutes | October 2021 |
| Board Minutes – August 2021 | August 2021 Board Minutes | September 2021 |
| Board Minutes – July 2021 | July 2021 Board Minutes | August 2021 |
| Board Minutes – June 2021 | June 2021 Board Minutes | July 2021 |
| Board Minutes – May 2021 | May 2021 Board Minutes | June 2021 |
| Board Minutes – April 2021 | April 2021 Board Minutes | May 2021 |
| Board Minutes – March 2021 | March 2021 Board Minutes | April 2021 |
| Board Minutes – February 2021 | February 2021 Board Minutes | March 2021 |
| Board Minutes – January 2021 | January 2021 Board Minutes | February 2021 |
Audit and Risk Committee Minutes
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| A&R Committee Minutes – December 2022 | December 2022 Committee minutes | February 2023 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – September 2022 | September 2022 Committee minutes | September 2022 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – June 2022 | June 2022 Committee minutes | September 2022 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – March 2022 | March 2022 Committee minutes | June 2022 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – January 2022 | January 2022 Committee minutes | March 2022 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – November 2021 | November 2021 Committee minutes | January 2022 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – October 2021 | October 2021 Committee minutes | November 2021 |
| A&R Committee Minutes – August 2021 | August Committee minutes | October 2021 |
Correspondence
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Issued |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Edward Mountain MSP | Update on Environmental Standards Scotland’s activities. | February 2023 |
| Letter from Mark Roberts to Clare Adamson MSP | Response to call for evidence on how devolution is changing following the UK’s exit from the European Union. | November 2022 |
| Letter from Mark Roberts to Edward Mountain MSP | Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Evidence Session | October 2022 |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Edward Mountain MSP | Strategic Plan cover letter | September 2022 |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Edward Mountain MSP | Air Quality report cover letter | September 2022 |
| Letter from Michael Matheson MSP to Mark Roberts | ESS final Strategic Plan | August 2022 |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Dean Lockhart MSP | ESS Update to Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee | August 2022 |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Finlay Carson MSP | ESS Update to Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee | December 2021 |
| Letter from Jim Martin to Michael Matheson MSP | ESS Update to Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee | December 2021 |
Further Information Documents
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Responses to Draft Strategic Plan Consultation | Analytical Report | September 2022 |
| Introduction to Environmental Standards Scotland leaflet | Short introduction document to who ESS are | October 2021 |
| Presentation to information sessions | Copy of slides presented to stakeholders at information sessions | January 2022 |
| Q&A from information sessions | Q&A’s from information sessions | January 2022 |
| Frequently Asked Questions | General Frequently Asked Questions about ESS | October 2021 |
| Service Standards | The standards of service ESS aim to achieve | June 2022 |
Investigation Reports and Documents
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Representation Form | Form to make a representation to ESS | October 2021 |
| Access to Environmental Justice | Summary Report | December 2022 |
| Air Quality in Scotland | Full Report | September 2022 |
| Air Quality in Scotland - Summary | Summary Report | September 2022 |
| Air Quality Investigation – FAQ’s | FAQ’s on Air Quality Investigation | September 2022 |
| Use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices | Full Report | August 2022 |
| Use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices - Summary | Summary Report | August 2022 |
| Licencing and removal of weirs | Summary Report | August 2022 |
| Ramsar site protection | Summary Report | September 2022 |
Analytical Reports and Documents
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Priorities for Analysis | List if priority areas identified for analysis by ESS | September 2022 |
| Strategic Plan for Consultation | Copy of our recent consultation on our first official Strategic Plan | May 2022 |
Baseline Evidence Reviews
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| Air | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Climate Change | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Cross-cutting Environmental Governance | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Land and Soil | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Population, Human Health and Cultural Heritage | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Resource Use and Waste | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
| Water | Baseline Evidence Review | September 2022 |
Freedom of Information Responses
| Document Title | Descriptor | Date Published |
| ESS.FOI.001 | Board member allowances, staffing complement, CEO salary. | October 2021 |
| ESS.FOI.002 | Current and concluded secondment information. | June 2022 |
| ESS.FOI.003 | Human rights due diligence checks. | August 2022 |
| ESS.FOI.004 | Edenred employee benefits. | November 2022 |
| ESS.FOI.005 | Legal action and costs. | December 2022 |
| ESS.FOI.006 | Appointments, Signposting and Legislation. | February 2023 |
Latest News
Latest News
New role advertised: Senior Investigations Officer
Recruitment is now open for the following post within ESS: Senior Investigations Officer - closing date 10 April 2023 For...
Chief Executive's video update
Our Chief Executive Mark Roberts gives an update about the work we have been involved in over the past six...
Environmental Justice Summary Report Published
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) has today, Monday 19 December, issued a summary report about how it intends to monitor recent...
Contact Us
How can we help you?
If you want to raise a formal concern over how environmental law is being applied by a public authority in Scotland, please see our pages on How to raise a concern.
For Freedom of Information and Subject Access requests, please see our Freedom of Information pages.
Otherwise, if you have a general query, please contact us by completing this form. If you are unable to send us a message through this form please leave a message on 0808 196 4000.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Email: press@environmentalstandards.scot
Environmental Standards Scotland respects your privacy and will not disclose your personal data to a third party without your consent unless legally required to do so. We will process any personal data that may be collected from you for the purpose of fulfilling your enquiry and maintaining records. To find out more, please view our privacy policy.