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Work Areas
Joint Work with other UK Links
LINK Task Forces
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
- Climate Change
- Deer
- Freshwater
- Landscape
- Marine
- Planning
- Scottish
Environment Week
- SEFF - Scottish Environmental Fundraising Forum
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
- Sustainable Scotland
- Woodlands
Representatives from LINK Task Forces and Member organisations are delegates to a wide range of stakeholder groups and external forums (Pdf 99Kb).
Older documents are available in the action archive.
Joint UK Links Work
2007
Joint UK Links Report on Bioenergy, and press release. July 2007
Agriculture
The vision of the Agriculture Task Force is sustainable agricultural systems that produce supplies of safe, healthy food; that protect natural resources and enhance wildlife, habitats, landscape and cultural heritage; and that provide jobs in rural areas, contributing to a diverse rural economy.
2009
Agriculture taskforce response to the The Brian Pack Inquiry into Future Support for Agriculture in Scotland. 30 October 2009.
LINK Agriculture Taskforce Response to Consultation on the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check in Scotland. We believe that the Scottish Government does have opportunities to ensure payments are better directed towards the provision of environmental and other public services provided by particular types of land management. 12 June 2009. 
92Kb
LINK Agriculture TF response to the consultation to The First stage Review of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 27 February 2009.
LINK Agriculture Taskforce briefing on The Common Agriculture Policy Health Check ahead of the Scottish Parliament debate on the 21 January 2009.
LINK Agriculture and Biodiversity Taskforce Letter to Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary giving concerns about SRDP and five suggestions to improve Rural Priorities. 9 January 2009.
2008
LINK Agriculture Taskforce response to the Scottish Government Consultation on the Future Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland. September 2008
LINK Agriculture Taskforce letter to Scottish Government regarding the Consultation on the future implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland, July 2008.
LINK Agriculture Taskforce response to the National Food Policy Discussion Paper - the environmental aspects of the policy have been underplayed, April 2008.
LINK Agriculture Taskforce response to to the First Public Consultation on the CAP 'Health Check', January 2008
2007
LINK Agriculture Task Force letter to Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, on the environmental impacts of the loss of set-aside, and, in the absence of any environmental evaluation of the current scheme or alternatives, calling for effective mitigation measures to be put in place. August 2007 (156 Kb)
Response to the Consultation on the Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones Action Programme by LINK Agriculture Task Force, February 2007. (Pdf 78Kb)
2006
Response to the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, letter of concerns by LINK President to Mnister for the Environment, 30 August 2006 (PDF 35KB)
Rural Development
Programme for Scotland 2007-2013, consultation response by LINK's
Agriculture Taskforce, June 2006
The State of Scotland's Farmed Environment 2005 An audit commissioned by LINK's Agriculture Task Force from the Macaulay Institute, launched 8 February 2006.
2005
Environment LINK Launches new farmed environment audit and welcomes Rural Development Strategy consultation. Press release 8 February 2005
Letter to SEERAD about proposed new payment rates for Agri-Environment Schemes, 25 May 2005
2004
Land Management Contracts: Tier 3 scope and content from 2007, LINK Agriculture Task Force submission to SEERAD, November 2004 (PDF file 223KB)
Draft Rural Development Regulation, LINK Agriculture Task Force response, October 2004
Land Management Contracts Menu Scheme, LINK Agriculture Task Force response, September 2004
Response to Ministerial CAP Reform Announcement, 12 February 2004, press release from the LINK Agriculture Task Force
Biodiversity
The vision of the Biodiversity Task Force is Scotland's natural heritage, on both land and sea, is complete in its diversity, composed of fully functioning ecosystems and resilient to accelerated environmental change.
2009
LINK response to Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Consultation. 3 Sep 2009
Peatlands Briefing. Scotland has the majority of the UK peatland soils and internationally important peat bog habitat. There is an urgent need to prioritise funding and statutory effort towards achieving peatland restoration targets. LINK Biodiversity and Climate Taskforce Briefing, 28 May 2009. 65Kb
LINK Agriculture and Biodiversity Taskforce Letter to Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary giving concerns about SRDP and five suggestions to improve Rural Priorities. 9 January 2009.
2008
Biodiversity Case Studies Report, December 2008
Photographic exhibition showing Scotland's biodiversity, as part of Scottish Environment Week 2008
LINK Biodiversity Taskforce Press Release on the debate in Parliament on the implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, January 2008
LINK Biodiversity Taskforce Briefing Paper on Biodiversity as the Web of Life in All its Forms, January 2008.
2007
Call 999: An emergency for Scotland's Biodiversity. Report on the Summary and Assessment for Scotland from the
UK Biodiversity Action Plan 2005 Reporting Round.
Progress towards the 2010 target is simply not happening quickly enough.
The UK biodiversity action plan process needs higher levels of commitment and should be put into the heart of all policy making in
Scotland. (Pdf 448Kb)
Link Biodiversity Task Force Press Release on Scotland's progress towards the 2010 target to halt the loss of biodiversity, 16 March 2007 (Pdf 105Kb).
Press Release on the stark decline of Juniper, 22 February 2007. (PDF 90Kb)
2006
Development of Future Implementation Plans by the Scottish Biodiversity Committee, LINK's Biodiversity Task Force paper, February 2006
2005
Will we make a difference? A review of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plans (2005-2007) (PDF file, 456KB) and Review Data (December 2005) (XLS file, 640KB).
2004
Conservationists give new Bill green light, Scottish Environment LINK press release, November 2004
Scotland's Biodiversity - It's In Your Hands - Implementation Plans 2005-2008 (PDF file 802KB), Scottish Environment LINK's response to the consultation, October 2004
Sustaining Biodiversity: revitalising the Biodiversity Action Plan Process (PDF file 456KB), Manifesto from Scottish Environment LINK, Northern Ireland Environment Link, Wales Environment Link and Wildlife and Countryside Link, September 2004
Climate Change
The vision of the Climate Task Force is for global climate change to be limited to 2 degrees through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 3% per year.
LINK Climate Change Task Force work together with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland for a strong Climate Bill, and with Transform Scotland on transport issues.
Visit the Transform website for more details of their current transport issues and briefing papers.
2009
Peatlands Briefing. Scotland has the majority of the UK peatland soils and internationally important peat bog habitat. There is an urgent need to prioritise funding and statutory effort towards achieving peatland restoration targets. LINK Biodiversity and Climate Taskforce Briefing, 28 May 2009. 65Kb
Response to the Scottish Parliament Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee call for evidence on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill from LINK's Climate Change taskforce. 27 Feb 2009.
Letter to the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee regarding Muirburn in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. The letter outlines LINK members support for evidence on Muirburn submitted by the RSPB, as well as some additional points. 20 February 2009.
LINK Climate Change Taskforce response to Consultation on the Consenting Process for Thermal Power Stations in Scotland. 96Kb LINK strongly urges the Scottish Government to ensure greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by implementing an emissions performance standard (EPS). 30 January 2009.
2008
LINK position statement - 'Time to Act on Climate Change' 3.7 Mb
This statement sets out LINK's views on the main issues to be addressed if climate change is to be tackled effectively in Scotland. September 2008.
LINK Climate Taskforce briefing on climate change, for the Scottish Parliament debate on climate change on Wednesday 28th May 2008.
LINK Climate Taskforce response to the consultation on the Scottish Climate Bill, April 2008.
2007
Letter to MSPs from LINK Climate Taskforce regarding the Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Bill, 14 December 2007
Joint UK Links Report on Bioenergy, and press release. July 2007
LINK Climate Change Action Plan, Scottish Environment LINK, June 2007
Joint LINK and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland response to the UK Draft Climate Change Bill Consultation, June 2007 (PDf 125Kb)
2006
Consultation on draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6: Renewable Energy, LINK response, October 2006 (PDF 227KB)
Stop
Climate Chaos, take action by signing the e-petition
everyone
general election and G8 climate campaign
Scotland's National Transport Strategy consultation reponse by LINK's Climate Change Task Force, July 2006
Climate Change Action Plan Debate, LINK parliamentary briefing, June 2006 (PDF 124KB)
Scottish Environment LINK welcomes climate targets. Press release 30 March 06
2005
Electricity in Scotland - Transmission and Distribution. Briefing paper December 2005
Cross-party Position on Global Warming, LINK Climate Change Task Force Media Release 12 October 2005
LINK Climate Change Action Plan, Scottish Environment LINK, September 2005
Concern paper for the Environmental Advisory Forum for Renewable Energy (EAFRE) by Scottish Environment LINK, April 2005
Review of the Scottish Climate Change Programme, Submission from Scottish Environment LINK, March 2005
DEFRA consultation on the review of the UK Climate Change Programme, Submission by Scottish Environment LINK, March 2005
Climate Change, LINK written evidence to the Environment and Rural Development Committee Inquiry, February 2005
Renewables,
LINK written evidence to The Enterprise and Culture Committee's Inquiry,
January 2004
LINK Energy Statement, July 2003
The vision of the Deer Task Force is sustainable populations of native species of deer, playing positive roles in Scottish ecosystems and contributing to the rural economy.
2009
Oral Evidence on Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill. LINK provided Oral Evidence on stage one of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. The Committee was specifically looking at sections 1 and 2, which propose the transfer to Scottish Natural Heritage of functions of the Deer Commission for Scotland and the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 16 September 2009
LINK response to Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Consultation. 3 Sep 2009
LINK's Deer taskforce issues a briefing on proposals for deer legislation as part of a proposed Natural Heritage (Scotland) Bill. For LINK, the imperative is creating the circumstances in which sustainable deer management can take place. 20 February 2009
2008
LINK Deer Task Force Response Proposals for new Deer Legislation in the proposed Natural Heritage Bill. 18 December 2008.
LINK Deer Taskforce Letter to the Scottish Government about the proposed Natural Heritage Bill. 16 December 2008.
LINK Deer Taskforce Letter to the Scottish Government about the proposed SNH-DCS merger. 5 September 2008.
LINK Deer Task Force Response to Consultation on Deer Strategy, February 2008
LINK Deer Task Force Response to Proposed Merger of DCS with SNH, February 2008
Deer Management Planning in Scotland: a case for stronger measures, LINK Deer Task Force paper, April 2006 (PDF 44KB)
Deer Management, LINK Deer Task Force letter to Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, 6 December 2005 (PDF 90KB)
Deer Management, reply letter from Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, 22 December 2005 (PDF 21KB)
The Holyrood election campaign, Vote with your Feet, has closed. Please see the everyone website for an archive of all everyone campaigns 2003-2007.
Freshwater
The vision of the Freshwater Task Force is securing the achievement of the Water Framework Directive’s good ecological status by 2015 which will ensure sustainable use of water resources and land management that enhances the status of the water environment.
2009
LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to consultation on the Scottish and the Solway Tweed River Basin Management Plans. We are concerned that the draft RBMPs lack in the consideration of a full range of measures that can help deliver objectives. The Plan still has the appearance of being more informative than aspirational. 26 May 2009. 80Kb
LINK welcomes the passing of the new Bill on flooding on 13 May 2009. This is a major opportunity to have more sustainable approaches for the management of flood risk. Sustainable flood management good for people and biodiversity LINK Media News. 27Kb. 13 May 2009.
LINK notes on the Marshalled List of Amemdments selected for stage three of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill. This offers a more detailed briefing on the amendments, as tabled. 12 May 2009
The LINK freshwater taskforce Stage 3 briefing looks at proposed amendments that would improve the Flood Risk Management Bill legislation still further at stage three. 11 May 2009
LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to consultation on Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, Scotland’s Water: Future Directions. We are disappointed by the projected level of improvement in ecological status of 6% by 2015, which is amongst the lowest rates of improvement in Europe. 1 April 2009 111Kb
LINK Freshwater Taskforce Briefing for Stage One of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill . 22 January 2009
LINK Freshwater Taskforce members call for the Scottish Government to implement recommendations unanimously agreed by the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to strengthen key aspects of the Bill and place more emphasis on natural flood management. 21 January 2009.
2008
In Stage One of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, LINKs Freshwater task provide oral evidence to the Scottish Parliaments Rural Affairs and Environment as well as submitting written evidence. In addition, a Financial Memorandum is submitted to the Scottish parliaments Finance committee. November 2008.
LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003: Development of Environmental Standards and Condition Limits, Phase II. Ten areas of concern are summarised, plus general points and detailed points are given. September 2008
Flood Risk Managment (Scotland) Bill
New Freshwater Task Force web pages, August 2008.
A Vital Step for Scotland: Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill . New legislation represents a new opportunity to introduce sustainable management of flood risk. However, it will only be achieved if three key principles are placed at the heart of the new legislation. This leaflet produced by LINKs Freshwater Taskforce outlines the required principles.
Natural Flood Management - Review Report 774Kb.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) is part of a Sustainable Flood Management approach. It is a series of techniques that involves working with rivers and coasts using natural processes within the framework of land use planning.
This literature review looks at what can be learned from past studies and experiences in other countries. Also, it helps fill in the knowledge gap in NFM. 28 August 2008.
Flooding and Flood Management – the way forward for Scotland . A briefing by the Freshwater Taskforce of Scottish Environment LINK for the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee debate on flooding and flood management, 26th June 2008.
The future of flood risk management in Scotland(
392 KB) - LINK's Freshwater Taskforce response to the consultation on proposals for new flooding legislation . April 2008.
LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to the Significant Water Management Issues Report for Scotland River Basin District (370 KB), April 2008.
2007
LINK Freshwater Taskforce written submission to the Flooding and Flood Management Inquiry ( 202kB) by the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development and Environment Committee. See also Letter to the Committee ( 137kB)and Annexes(170kB).
Towards sustainable flood management in Scotland ( 92kB). A briefing on the implementation of Sustainable Flood Management (SFM) through primary legislation
Review of UKTAG proposed standard for suspended solids ( 132Kb) an APEM Scientific Report for WWF-UK and Wildlife & Countryside Link partners
LINK’s Freshwater Taskforce response to the consultation by the Water
Industry Commission. The WIC’s approach to the 2010–14 Price Review. March 2007 ( 162 Kb)
Briefing Paper on Sustainable Flood Management, February 2007 ( 485Kb)
Comments on Proposals on environmental standards and conditions - Phase 1. Link Freshwater Task Force response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the implementation of the WEWS (Scotland) Act 2003 (191KB)
Comments on Principles for the objective setting for the River Basin Management Plan. Link Freshwater Task Force response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the implementation of the WEWS (Scotland) Act 2003 (200KB)
2006
Living within environmental limits, LINK Freshwater Task Force briefing paper, June 2006 (PDF 32KB)
UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water Framework Directive's draft Report on the UK Environmental Standards and Conditions (Phase 1), joint response from Wildlife and Countryside Link, Scottish Environment LINK, Northern Ireland Environment Link and Wales Environment Link, April 2006
Diffuse Pollution from Rural Land Use, LINK Freshwater Task Force response tothe Scottish Executive consultation, March 2006
Scottish
Water conflict bad news for the environment - Scottish Environment
LINK's Freshwater Task Force Press Release, February 2006
2005
The
Designation of Responsible
Authorities, LINK Freshwater Task Force response to the Scottish Executive's
discussion paper, October 2005 (PDF 60KB)
Review of Strategic Charges 2006-10: the draft determination, LINK Freshwater Task Force response to the consultation by the Water Industry Commissioner, September 2005
Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003, Abstraction and Impoundment Charging Scheme, LINK Freshwater Task Force comments, July 2005
Controlled Activities Regulations Proposals for Regulation, a Policy Statement from the LINK Freshwater Taskforce, May 2005
Controlled
Activities Regulations: Revised Proposals for General Binding Rules,
LINK Freshwater Task Force response to the Scottish Executive consultation,
April 2005
2004
The Pressures and Impacts on Scotland's Water Environment, Scottish Environment LINK's Freshwater Taskforce letter in response to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency's consultation, September 2004 - full reponse below
Pressures and Impacts on Scotland's Water Environment (PDF 457KB), Scottish Environment LINK's Freshwater Task Force's response to SEPA's consultation, September 2004
The vision of the Landscape Task Force is to ensure that landscape qualities in all types of landscape are valued and protected in accordance with the European Landscape Convention.
2009
LINK supports Placebook Scotland, a web-based project for all Scotland's people to share their impressions about their special places.
2008
MSP landscape competition ( 1.27MB) organised as part of Scottish Environment Week 2008. Designed to educate politicians, policy makers and the wider public on the importance and value of Scotland’s landscapes. See LINK Press Release ( 31KB),and photos of the prize winning MSP's. 5th February 2008.
Scotland's Landscapes - Landscapes for Living: a DVD which briefly sets out the importance of Scotland's landscapes and what needs to be done to better care for them. This DVD was commissioned as part of the above landscape event at Scottish Environment Week 2008.
Tourist Industry
should join with First Minister in supporting Scotland as World Champions,
Landscape Task Force press release, June 2006 ( 28KB)
Written Submission
to the Scottish Parliament Communities Committee on National Scenic Areas,
June 2006 ( 31KB)
Enhancing our Care for Scotland's Landscapes, Scottish Environment LINK's Landscape Task Force response to the Scottish Executive consultation, April 2006
Scotland's
Landscape Heritage, Scottish Environment LINK's Landscape Task Force
letter to the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development,
23 March 2006
Scottish Landscape, letter to the Minister for the Environment from Scottish Environment LINK's Landscape Task Force, 25 February 2005
Scotland's Wild
Landscapes - What Future? (389KB)Scottish Environment LINK leaflet.
SNH's discussion paper on Scotland's Future Landscapes? joint LINK response, February 2004
The vision of the Marine Task Force is healthy, productive seas that can sustain thriving coastal communities in perpetuity.
Such a vision requires a marine and coastal environment where habitats and species are protected and, if degraded, restored where practicable to their former condition; living and non-living marine resources are used sensitively; coastal and marine developments are managed in an integrated, sustainable manner; and pollution from land-based and offshore sources is eliminated.
2009
Marine Bill Stage 1 Briefing. At the heart of our campaign is our belief that the marine environment is the foundation for all the benefits that the sea provides for the people of Scotland. A healthy and well-functioning marine environment is a prerequisite for a sustainable Scottish economy. 26 October 2009
Recovering Scotland’s Marine Environment. Recovering Scotland’s Marine Environment is an independent report by Dr David Hughes and Dr Thom Nickell from the Scottish Association for Marine Science. 14 October 2009
Marine Bill must return our seas to health (press release). Scottish Environment LINK today released an independent scientific report on the historic decline of species in Scotland’s seas, and called for the Marine (Scotland) Act to contain strong measures to reverse these declines - not just to protect what is left. 14 October 2009
LINK Letter to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Marine (Scotland) Bill, and the type and level of consultation we believe is appropriate for the two distinct stages of first selecting and then managing a MPA. The decision to designate a MPA must be made on scientific criteria alone. If an area meets these criteria, Scottish Ministers must proceed with the designation. 17 July 2009. 134 Kb
LINK letter to Jim Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Scotland and Convener of the Calman Steering Group stating that the perfect opportunity exists now to devolve responsibility for marine nature conservation. 8 July 2009. 81 Kb
LINK Marine Taskforce Written Evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on Stage 1 of the Marine (Scotland) Bill giving concerns that the Bill allows for ecosystem objectives to be traded-off against short-term social and economic objectives, resulting in a continued deterioration of sea health and productivity. Also, there must be an independent, transparent appeals process for marine licensing and planning decisions. 4 June 2009. 70Kb
Scottish Marine Bill Briefing. Environmental sustainability must have top priority because it is the basis for all social and economic benefits. LINK Marine Taskforce Briefing, 28 May 2009. 394Kb.
‘Sea change needed’ LINK welcomes the introduction of the Marine Bill to the Scottish Parliament, and calls on all MSPs to ensure that it becomes a truly groundbreaking piece of legislation, delivering effective protection for Scotland’s seas, shores and wildlife. Marine Taskforce Press Release. 30 April 2009
LINK Marine Taskforce Parliamentary Briefing for the Marine Bill Debate, on 26 February 2009. It is vital that a series of enforceable targets for ecosystem health (Marine Ecosystem Objectives) are designed to underpin marine planning and licensing and comply with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. 46Kb 26 February 2009.
LINK Marine Taskforce welcomes announcement of a new planning body for Scotland's seas. 38Kb. Press Release, 9 February 2009.
LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to Consultation on Legislative Consent Memorandum The LINK Marine Task Force welcomes the agreement between the Scottish and UK Governments on a UK-wide approach to marine planning. However there are still a number of concerns with the UK Bill/Legislative Consent Motion and there are several issues which may now not be covered by either the UK or Scottish Marine Bills. 130Kb. January 2009
LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to the consultation on the SEA Environmental Report.
It will be vital that there is a SEA of the Marine Policy Statement and of the Marine Plans. SEA is a continuous process which must not stop at the Environmental Report. 55Kb.
January 2009.
LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to the consultation on the Scottish Marine Bill RIA
We are disappointed that the focus of this document appears to be the growth of marine industries and balance of resource use and resource protection. 43Kb. January 2009.
2008
LINK Marine taskforce response to Scottish Aquaculture – A Fresh Start. A Consultation on the Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture. 5 November 2008
LINK Response - Scottish Marine Bill 165Kb
LINK Marine Taskforce calls for a Scottish Marine Bill to deliver Good Environmental
Status and seas that are clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse. October 2008.
Joint UK Links response - High Level Marine Objectives 78Kb
The UK Links believe that shared HLMOs, which in turn will inform a UK-wide Marine
Policy Statement (MPS), are essential to secure coherent marine management, and
we urge all four Administrations to work together to take this forward. September 2008.
LINK Marine Task Force Position Statement on Seal Conservation, June 2008 summarises the current legislation for
seal conservation in Scotland and highlights its inadequacies. It is also a joint call for
reform of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 to address those inadequacies and to
reflect the need for effective and comprehensive seal conservation measures.
LINK Marine Taskforce response to Defra consultation on the draft UK Marine Bill , June 2008.
LINK Marine Taskforce response to the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan developed by the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI), 16 May 2008.
LINK Marine Task Force letter rejecting the conclusion of the BERR Appropriate Assessment for oil and gas licensing in Block 17/3, which overlaps the Moray Firth European marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bottlenose dolphin and sandbanks. 14 March 2008.
LINK Marine Task Force response to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2008-10 Marine Biodiversity Implementation Plan, March 2008
LINK Marine Taskforce Press Release welcoming the ground-breaking announcement by the Cabinet Secretary to protect Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, the first time a marine area has been protected as a result of proposals developed by local representatives. 21 January 2008.
Finding NIMAs. A LINK Marine Taskforce report calling for marine protected areas in order to safeguard wildlife of special importance to Scotland. 40 pages with tables and maps. January 2008.
2007
LINK Marine Task Force Briefing Paper on a Scottish Marine Bill that places nature conservation and the environment at the very heart of the Bill, October 2007.
LINK's new campaign website for Scottish Marine Bill that will protect our natural heritage and safeguard Scotland’s resources for the future is launched. www.savescottishseas.org
LINK Marine Task Force Press Release 6 Sept 2007. Is the Scottish Marine Bill lost at sea? (PDF 98Kb) A Scottish Marine Bill was a welcome early promise by the SNP, yet there is no sign of it in next year’s legislative programme. A Bill is needed to ensure future generations are able to enjoy and make a sustainable living from Scotland’s world-class seas.
LINK Marine Task Force press release calls for close collaboration between all UK administrations to ensure the UK Marine Bill makes it into the November Queen’s speech, so that Scottish and UK Marine Bills can be taken forward in tandem. August 2007 (Pdf 97 Kb)
LINK Marine Task Force press release welcomes announcement of a Scottish Marine Bill, June 2007 (Pdf 95 Kb)
LINK Marine Task Force response to the UK Marine Bill White Paper, June 2007 (Pdf 226 Kb)
LINK Marine Task Force press release on recommendations made by the Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy (AGMACS) - New wave of measures agreed for Scotland’s seas March 2007 (PDF 80kb)
LINK Marine Task Force response to consultation by SEERAD on Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park, January 2007 (PDF 208Kb)
2006
LINK Marine Task Force briefing for Party Conferences, A Marine Bill for Scotland: urgently needed to sustain Scotland's seas, October 2006 (PDF 128KB).
Marine Bulletin 3 - Marine Spatial Planning, September 2006, LINK's Marine Task Force (PDF 171KB)
A Marine Bill, LINK's Marine Task Force response to DEFRA's consultation, June 2006 (PDF 246KB)
Marine Bulletin 2 - the UK Marine Bill May 2006 (pdf 158kb)
UK Marine Bill throws down gauntlet for management of Scotland’s seas. Press release 29 March 2006
Marine
Bulletin 1:A Coastal and Marine National Park for Scotland, Scottish
Environment LINK Marine Task Force, February 2006
Coastal and Marine National Parks - Scotland's Opportunity, Scottish Environment LINK briefing (PDF 60KB), December 2005
Why Scotland needs its own Marine Act, LINK Marine Task Force briefing, December 2005 (PDF 58KB)
Promise for Scotland's Seas must be Countdown to Action, LINK Marine Task Force press release, 12 September 2005
Marine Reserves in Scotland? useful examples from New Zealand
Scottish Environment LINK Marine Task Force press release, 7 September 2005
Marine Groups support plastic bag levy to protect Sea Life, Marine Task Force press release, 20 June 2005
Environment groups call for action, not more talk, to protect Scotland's seas Media Release 15 June 2005
Action urged to protect Scotland's sea life, media release 9 March 2005
Braer - 12 years on and still waiting for better protection from shipping accidents, media release 5 January 2005
2004
Sustaining
Scotland's Seas; LINK Parliamentary
seminar media release 22 September 2004. Six papers prepared for this
seminar are available as pdfs. They are:
Welcome news on the future of our seas, Scottish Environment LINK media release 19 April 2004
Seas Fit for Scotland: Marine Protection and Sustainable Use in the 21st Century, an agenda for action by the Scottish Environment LINK Marine Task Force, pdf (438KB) October 2002.
The vision of the Planning Task Force is to encourage the development of a planning system which seeks to deliver sustainable development.
2009
Planning Task Force consultation response Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) Consultative Draft. The consolidated SPP could well lead to less effective and consistent development and application of policy, and perversely to more delays and challenges. 24 June 2009. 152 Kb
Briefing on National Planning Framework 2 from the LINK Planning taskforce ahead of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee Debate on the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 – Proposed Framework, 5 March 2009.
LINK Planning Taskforce Evidence to the Local Government and Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament, calls for stronger linkage between planning and sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission. January 2009. 56Kb
Duncan McLaren (FOES) representing LINK, gave oral evidence on the National Planning Framework to the Scottish Parliament's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change committee. The main theme of the session was transport. 13 January 2009.
2007
LINK's letter to John Swinney MSP and press release raising profound concerns about the integrity of planning process provoked by the Donald Trump’s proposed golf development in Scotland. 12 December 2007
LINK Discussion Paper NPF 2 sent to the Scottish Executive, July 2007 (Pdf 191 Kb)
Join the everyone campaign for Real Rights in Planning
Vital planning vote: MSPs urged not to ignore communities and the environment. Planning task force press release 14 November 2006
Briefing: Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill Debate 15th and 16th November 2006
Comments on draft planning advice note: Community Engagement, LINK Planning Task Force, October 2006 (153KB)
Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Debate, LINK parliamentary briefing, June 2006 (PDF 134KB)
Impacts of unjust planning legislation revealed in new map, Planning Task Force media release (PDF 115KB)
Set for Approval? Future National Developments for Scotland 2008 to 2020. Advance information for communities. See Map (PDF 210KB)
Disappointed and Disillusioned by Planning Reforms, LINK press release on the Stage 1 report of the Scottish Parliament's Communities Committee, May 2006 (PDF 125 KB)
Comments on the draft SPP6 Renewable Energy, Scottish Environment LINK's Planning Task Force, March 2006
Written evidence to the Communities Committee to support oral evidence on Planning etc (Scotland) Bill. LINK Planning Task Force, 8 February 2006
Briefing on Planning Etc (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Environment LINK Planning Task Force, February 2006
Petitioners
demand that Parliament listens on Planning: Executive bulldozes
community rights in planning tug-of-war, media release, 18 January 2006
Planning Bill is no Christmas present for communities, media release, 20 Dec 05
Two stories about proposed changes to the planning system, LINK Planning Task Force, November 2005
Pitfalls in Planning Bill Proposals, Scottish Environment LINK Planning Task Force press release, 6 September 2005
10 myths about Third Party Rights of Appeal (TPRA), Briefing from the LINK Planning Task Force
Planning White Paper, Scottish Environment LINK Planning Task Force response, August 2005
New Coalition asks Parliament to get real on planning, Scottish Environment LINK and the Association of Scottish Community Councils media release, 3 August 2005
Planning White Paper: Executive fail to deliver ‘real rights’ in the planning system, Press release from the LINK Planning Task Force, 29 June 2005
Environmental Organisations Unite in Condemnation of Planning Betrayal, LINK media release, 3 May 2005
Planning for a Better Environment - the Proposed Planning Bill: Scottish Environment LINK Manifesto, (PDF file 51KB) April 2005
Robust
Planning Laws Crucial for Scotland's Future, LINK press release, 29
April 2005
Making Development Plans Deliver, LINK's response to the Scottish Executive's consultation, July 2004
Rights
of Appeal in Planning consultation response by Scottish Environment
LINK July 2004
Widening the Rights of Appeal in Planning, LINK briefing, June 2004
Widening the Rights of Appeal in Planning, LINK briefing, June 2004
SEFF Scottish Environment Fundraising Forum
The vision of SEFF is to encourage and facilitate partnership working between fundraisers within the LINK network; and to allow them to share information, experience and understanding of sources of funding for Scotland’s environment.
SEFF response to the BIG consultation and supporting paper Feburary 2009
SEFF Information Note June 2007 (Pdf 283 Kb)
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Stage 3 Briefing on Environment Assessment (Scotland) Bill, 9 November 2005
Stage 1 Briefing on Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill, 16 June 2005 (pdf, 179KB)
LINK calls for independent body to advise Executive on the environment, media release 10 March 2005
An
independent body to oversee strategic environmental assessment in Scotland:
bureaucratic burden or efficient accountable administration? (PDF
file 220KB) report for Scottish Environment LINK by Anna McLauchlin and
Else Joao, University of Strathclyde, March 2005
Proposed Environmental
Assessment (Scotland) Bill, Response by Scottish Environment LINK
to the consultation, 29 October 2004
Proposed Legislative Measures to Introduce Strategic Environmental Assessment in Scotland, response by Scottish Environment LINK to the Scottish Executive consultation, March 2004
The vision of the Sustainable Scotland Task Force is a sustainable Scotland.
2006
Household
Waste Prevention, consultation response by LINK's Sustainable Scotland
Task Force, April 2006 (PDF 198KB)
Taking it on: developing UK sustainable development strategy (PDF file 13.1 KB), Scottish Environment LINK's response to DEFRA's consultation, July 2004
Is The Scottish Executive Structured And Positioned To Deliver Sustainable Development? The Environment and Rural Development Committee's report
'Must Try Harder', a Review by Scottish Environment LINK's Steering Group for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002
Woodlands
The vision of the Woodlands Task Force is for all woodlands and associated habitats in Scotland to be managed to the highest standards to maximise their potential in the delivery of environmental and social benefits.
2009
LINK Woodland Taskforce Letter to Forest Enterprise about the conditions of sale imposed on purchasers of former FES plantations, in particular any commitments to maintain woodland management to UKWAS and UK Forestry Standards. 8 June 2009. 78Kb
Angus Yarwood, convenor of the LINK Woodland taskforce gave oral evidence on forestry proposals in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. 11 February 2009.
LINK Woodland Taskforce Written Evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on the Forestry Proposals in the Climate Change Scotland Bill 50Kb.
LINK calls for more considered thought and discussion and is concerned about the wide reaching enabling powers in Section 47: 1, 2 and 4 being included in the Bill. 3 February 2009.
LINK Woodland Taskforce response to the Climate Change and the National Forest Estate Consultation on forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill 70Kb
Concerns raised about woodland creation for carbon sequestration becoming the primary driver for the government and the National Forest Estate (NFE). 27 January 2009.
2008
LINK Woodland Taskforce Policy Briefing Paper on Forestry Policy and Carbon Sequestration in Scotland, 28 January 2008
2007
Woodland Task Force response to the Forestry Commission Woodland Creations Grants 2007-08, August 2007 (150 Kb)
2006
The Role of the Public Forest Estate in Scotland. Woodland Task Force response to the Forestry Commission Scotland Discussion Paper, December 2006 (PDF 186KB)
Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme, Woodland Task Force response to the Forestry Commission consultation, June 2006 (PDF 138KB)
Scottish Forestry Strategy, Woodland Task Force response to the 2nd consultation, May 2006 (PDF 125KB)
Developments
in the Biomass Industry, LINK written submission to support oral evidence
to the Environment and Rural Development Committee of the Scottish Parliament,
March 2006
2005
Scottish Forestry Strategy Review Consultation, LINK response to the Forestry Commission, September 2005 (PDF 238KB)
Consultation on Draft Order: Amendment to Section 7 (10) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, Scottish Environment LINK response, December 2004
Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme, Forestry Commission's consultation (pdf file), Woodlands Task Force response, February 2004
Review of Land Managed by Forestry Commission Scotland (pdf file), LINK Woodlands Task Force response, February 2004
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