Plans for Human Right to a Healthy Environment in Scots Law Welcomed

Environmental groups have welcomed the recommendation to include the human right to a healthy environment in Scots law [1]. The Scottish Government’s National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership published detailed proposals for a new human rights law today and recommend that the new law is brought forward by the new Parliament.

Emilia Hanna, Advocacy Officer for the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland said:

“Everyone in Scotland deserves to live in a safe, clean, and healthy environment, so it is very welcome news that the Scottish Government’s advisers have recommended that this fundamental human right is enshrined in our laws.

“We call on the new Scottish Parliament to table the Human Rights law this year and are confident that all parties can come together to support this. A human right to a healthy environment is a positive way to tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.”

Mary Church, Head of Campaigns, Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

“The global repercussions and unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the fact that the right to a healthy and safe environment is essential to all other human rights. As we face the unprecedented challenges of climate and nature emergency against a backdrop of growing inequality it is more important than ever that our response is underpinned by robust protection of human rights.

“The Taskforce’s recommendations are both timely and welcome and we urge Parties to work together to bring forward this vital legislation in the first weeks of the new parliamentary session.”

Dr. Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said:

“The National Taskforce’s recommendation is a very welcome and important step forward. However, we have a lot to do if both the substantial and procedural elements of our human right to a healthy environment are to be effective and fulfilled in Scotland.  In delivering on this right, the Scottish Government needs to take significant and direction changing steps on protecting and restoring Scotland’s nature to fulfil this generation’s and protect future generation’s right to a healthy environment by tackling the global nature and climate crises.”

Amid a nature and climate crisis, and with 76% of Scots becoming more aware of nature’s importance during lockdown [2], environmental organisations stress the paramount importance of introducing a human right to a healthy environment.

LINK members believe the introduction of a human right to a healthy environment offers new opportunities to support citizens demanding improvements to their local environment and urging politicians to take action on the climate and nature crisis.