Review of the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance

Closed 13 Oct 2023

Opened 2 Jun 2023

Contact

EnviroGovReview@gov.scot

Results updated 19 Nov 2024

The Scottish Government has now published and laid the Statement on the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance Arrangements, as required by section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Scotland) (Continuity) Act 2021.

Section 41 of the Continuity Act requires Ministers to lay before Parliament the statement which sets out:

  • the details of the consultation that was carried out,
  • a summary of any views expressed in response to the consultation, and
  • the Scottish Ministers' recommendations in response to those views.

Thank you to everyone who engaged with the consultation and discussions during the review process. 

The responses to the consultation can be accessed via the link below.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Following the publication of the Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) Strategy on 1 December 2023, the Scottish Government has gathered evidence on the effectiveness of environmental governance.

The evidence gathered has helped to inform the Report into the Effectiveness of Governance Arrangements, as required by section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.

The content of this consultation is closely aligned with that of the report, therefore the consultation is seeking views on the three key matters listed in section 41 (2) of the Continuity Act, including:

  • whether the provisions of the Continuity Act have ensured that there continues to be effective and appropriate governance relating to the environment following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU?
  • is the law in Scotland on access to justice on environmental matters effective and sufficient?
  • whether and, if so, how the establishment of an environmental court could enhance the governance arrangements introduced by the Continuity Act?

Read the report 

Why your views matter

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that there is effective environmental governance arrangements post-Brexit. Your views are crucial to informing the Scottish Government on how environmental governance has performed following the exit from the European Union, access to justice on environmental matters and whether an environmental court can enhance governance.

What happens next

Thank you for your views and response to this consultation. All responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us. Responses will be published where we have been given permission to do so. An analysis report will also be made available.

 

Events

  • Effectiveness of Environmental Governance - Workshop One - Public Bodies and Local Authorities

    From 5 Sep 2023 at 11:00 to 5 Sep 2023 at 12:00

    There are three consultation events related to this consultation and these are open to anyone who is interested to attend. We have highlighted types of participant for the first two sessions, as the material will be tailored for specific stakeholders, while the third session will be for all stakeholders. This first session is focused on public bodies and local authorities.

    These events will be hybrid or fully hosted on Microsoft Teams. Please register your interest by emailing EnviroGovReview@gov.scot

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

  • Effectiveness of Environmental Governance - Workshop Two - eNGOs and Community Groups

    From 7 Sep 2023 at 14:00 to 7 Sep 2023 at 15:00

    There are three consultation events related to this consultation and these are open to anyone who is interested to attend. We have highlighted types of participant for the first two sessions, as the material will be tailored for specific stakeholders, while the third session will be for all stakeholders. This second session is focused on environmental stakeholders and community groups.

    These events will be hybrid or fully hosted on Microsoft Teams. Please register your interest by emailing EnviroGovReview@gov.scot

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

  • Effectiveness of Environmental Governance - Workshop Three - All Stakeholders

    From 12 Sep 2023 at 11:00 to 12 Sep 2023 at 12:00

    This session is for all stakeholders. These events will be hybrid or fully hosted on Microsoft Teams. Please register your interest by emailing EnviroGovReview@gov.scot

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

Interests

  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Main hub