LINK Work Areas

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.

Letter to SEERAD about proposed new payment rates for Agri-Environment Schemes, 25 May 2005

Environment LINK Launches new farmed environment audit and welcomes Rural Development Strategy consultation. Press release 8 February 2005

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.

2008

Photographic exhibition showing Scotland' biodivsersity, 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.

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)

Development of Future Implementation Plans by the Scottish Biodiversity Committee, LINK's Biodiversity Task Force paper, February 2006

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).

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.

2008

LINK Climate Taskforce response to the consultation on the Scottish Climate Bill, April 2008.

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)

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

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

Deer

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.

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 Mangement 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)

everyone campaign

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.

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.

Joint UK Links response to the UK Technical Advisory Group's (UKTAG) consultation on proposals for environmental quality standards and conditions – Phase II ( 199kB).

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)

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

Controlled Activities Regulations Proposals for Regulation, a Policy Statement from the LINK Freshwater Taskforce, May 2005

The Designation of Re sponsible 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

Water Framework Directive and Flooding - Implications for Flooding Policies in Scotland, A Policy Statement by the Freshwater Taskforce of Scottish Environment LINK, May 2005

Controlled Activities Regulations: Revised Proposals for General Binding Rules, LINK Freshwater Task Force response to the Scottish Executive consultation, April 2005

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

Historic Environment

The Historic Environment Review Team (HERT) completed their work within Scottish Environment LINK towards the end of 2005, and it is being taken forward by the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), see website http://www.befs.org.uk/

The Bigger Picture: Investing in Scotland's Historic Environment, by Scottish Environment LINK and Built Environment Forum Scotland, June 2004

The Bigger Picture needed, Scottish Environment LINK media release, June 2004

The Historic Environment: worth caring for, worth investing in
Briefing notefor MSPs from the Scottish Environment LINK/BEFS Historic Environment Review Taskforce, March 2004

Landscape

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.

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

Marine

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.

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

Marine Reserves in Scotland? useful examples from New Zealand

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

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:

A future for our seas

How to sustain our seas

Finfish Aquaculture

Inshore fisheries

Marine natural heritage

Scotland's coastal confusion

Welcome news on the future of our seas, Scottish Environment LINK media release 19 April 2004

2002

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.

Planning

The vision of the Planning Task Force is to encourage the development of a planning system which seeks to deliver sustainable development.

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 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)

Scottish Environment LINK evidence to the Environment and Rural Development Committee on the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill, April 2005

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

Policy Manifesto for Scotland's Environment, People and Economy: A charter for sustainable development

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

Sustainable Scotland

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)

2005 and earlier

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.

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)

National Land Forest Scheme, Forestry Commission consultation, Woodlands Task Force response, February 2005