19 February 2010, LINK Sustainable Land Use Taskforce

Five Key Steps for Success

This paper identifies five key steps that LINK considers are fundamental to the success of the Sustainable Land Use Strategy (SLUS), as follows:

1. Defining the status of the SLUS
2. Defining the scope of the SLUS
3. Establishing the formal process for producing this and subsequent versions of the SLUS
4. Achieving better policy integration
5. Underpinning the SLUS with the ecosystem approach

See also: Living with the Land our proposals for Scotlands first sustainable landuse strategy

14 October 2009, LINK Marine Taskforce

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.

Focusing on features for which there is good evidence of decline, the report makes a strong case that Scotland’s marine environment is in a far from pristine state and is in real need of recovery. Many habitats and species have been seriously depleted over a long period as a result of human activities, fragile habitats are particularly vulnerable to some mobile fishing gear, while the discharge of organic waste and water-borne chemical contaminants can also lead to the depletion of certain species. Unsustainable fishing practices have led to the decline of some fish stocks.

See also: press release

8 July 2009, LINK Marine Taskforce

Devolve Marine Nature Conservation Now

LINK considers that, with the Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently before the UK Parliament at Westminster and the Marine (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, the perfect opportunity exists to devolve responsibility for marine nature conservation now.

LINK letter to Jim Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Scotland and Convener of the Calman Steering Group

16 December 2008,

Letter to Scottish Government regarding Natural Heritage Bill

Letter from LINKs Deer Taskforce to the Scottish Government welcoming plans to reform deer legisaltion under the proposed natural heritage bill

5 September 2008, LINK Deer Taskforce

Letter to Scottish Government regarding DCS SNH Merger Program Board

Letter to the Scottish Government regarding the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). LINKs Deer Taskforce express disappointment over the decision not to include a representative from the non‐governmental Scottish environment sector on the merger board. 

30 August 2008, LINK Freshwater Taskforce

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.

28 August 2008, LINK Freshwater Taskforce

Natural Flood Management

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.

25 July 2008, LINK Agriculture Taskforce

CAP Health Check

This letter lays out Scottish Environment LINK’s views on the CAP ‘Health Check’ and its potential environmental impacts.

20 June 2008, LINK Marine Taskforce

Seal Conservation

The aim of this short position statement on seal conservation is to summarise the current legislation in Scotland and highlight the inadequacies. It is also a 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.

28 May 2008, LINK

Scottish Environment Week 2008 Report

Scottish Environment Week 2008 on the theme A Climate for Change; enabling sustainable livelihoods marked the fourth year that the Week has run in the Scottish Parliament, and demonstrated the high importance that is now attached to the Week, by parliamentarians, environmental NGOs and other sectors.

While the Week has grown both in popularity and recognition, it has also developed over the years with events branching out beyond Holyrood and reaching new audiences; demonstrated this year in the second Public Event at the Botanic Gardens and in the partnership with National Grid in organising a Business Breakfast Seminar.

14 March 2008, LINK Marine Taskforce

Response to BERR Appropriate Assessment: Block 17/3, Inner Moray Firth

Scottish Environment LINK s Marine Task Force reject the conclusion of the 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. LINK believe that the Appropriate Assessment fails to meet the tests set under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). It fails to demonstrate that there will be no adverse impact on the integrity of relevant Natura 2000 interests or to satisfy the site’s Conservation Objectives

12 February 2008, LINK Deer Taskforce

Thoughts on proposed merger between Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage

Letter from the LINK Deer Taskforce to the Scottish Government regarding the proposed merger between the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

6 January 2008, LINK Woodlands Taskforce

Forestry Policy and Carbon Sequestration in Scotland

LINK believes that carbon sequestration should not be a primary driver of forestry policy, management of the National Forest Estate, and grant spend in Scotland. Whilst we accept that trees do sequester carbon, and through this process can make a small contribution to combating climate change, primary focus should continue to be on ensuring delivery of multiple public benefits such as enhanced biodiversity, improved access and health opportunities, landscape and historical environment enhancement and rural economic development. LINK does not therefore support any shift in resources away from existing policy priorities towards support for ‘sequestration forestry’ per se.

14 December 2007, LINK Climate Taskforce

Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Bill

We are very concerned by a amendment to the Bill which would remove the power of bridge authorities to introduce road user charging on any bridge in Scotland. We consider this would be an enormously retrograde step, and we are writing to urge MSPs not to support such an amendment at stage three. We have supported proposals for reductions in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions and feel such an amendment would significantly limit future policy options for delivering this target.

16 August 2007, LINK Woodlands Taskforce

Woodland Creation Grants

Scottish Environment LINK was surprised by the recent launch of the Woodland Creation Grants for 2007-2008 application year. Having read through the Support for Woodland Creation in the 2007/08 Planting Season document there are a number of issues that give us some concern and where we seek clarification...

3 August 2007, Joint LINK

Review of UKTAG proposed standard for suspended solids

an APEM Scientific Report for WWF-UK and Wildlife & Countryside Link partners reviewing the UKTAG proposed standard for suspended solids

6 July 2007, LINK Planning Taskforce

National Planning Framework 2

Discussion Paper on National Planning Framework 2

Scottish Environment LINK believes that all land use planning policy and decisions, including NPF 2, must be based upon the following principles...

30 June 2007, LINK Scottish Environmental Fundraising Forum Taskforce

Scottish Environmental Fundraising Forum (SEFF)

Everything you could ever want to know about the Scottish Environmental Fundraising Forum (SEFF)!

Why SEFF exists. What SEFF does. Why Scotland’s Environment Matters. Why The Environment Sector Needs Funds. Who We Are.

6 May 2007, LINK Climate Taskforce

Ten Principles for Tackling Climate Change Sustainably

Climate change is the most serious environmental problem facing the globe. In Scotland it will mean more unpredictable weather, more storms and rising seas, leading to floods, drought, failed harvests, the spread of disease and whole species being wiped out.Here we outline the 10 principles needed to tackle climate change sustainably.

16 March 2007, LINK Biodiversity Taskforce

Call 999: an Emergency for Scotland’s Biodiversity

5 April 2007: 1000 days left to 2010, when the target to halt the loss of biodiversity in Scotland expires. How is Scotland doing in terms of progress towards this target?

Summary and Assessment for Scotland from The UK Biodiversity Action Plan 2005 Reporting Round.

30 August 2006, LINK Agriculture Taskforce

Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013

Scottish Environment LINK has been pleased to be involved in the development of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) to date, including submission of our response to the Scottish Executive’s consultation. We are, however, becoming increasingly concerned about some aspects of the programme’s development, and I have outlined these below...

8 June 2006, LINK Planning Taskforce

Set for Approval?

Future National Developments for Scotland, 2008 to 2020 Advance information for communities.

This map is an indicative preview, produced by Scottish Environment LINK, showing the possible contents of the Scottish Executive’s next National Planning Framework (NPF). The NPF is a powerful new statutory framework-plan for Scotland, to be consulted on in 2008, and will determine how the nation’s infrastructure will be developed over the next 10-20 years (see map opposite). The Scottish Executive could use new legal powers (as proposed in the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill) to decide that any of the types of developments shown are of sufficient national importance (designated ‘National Developments’) to go ahead in principle, as part of a fast-tracked system of approval.

1 May 2006, LINK Marine Taskforce

Marine Bulletin Two: The UK Marine Bill

In March 2006 Defra, working closely with the Scottish Executive, published the consultation paper on a UK Marine Bill. LINK members believe that this offers a groundbreaking opportunity to manage the seas around the UK in a way that avoids the destructive ‘free-for-all’ that is failing both our seas and coastal livelihoods.

The UK-wide consultation establishes a general framework for managing all those activities for which the UK Government has responsibility. Defra and the Scottish Executive are working closely on this, and Defra leaves it up to the Scottish Executive to decide on how best to meet its devolved responsibilities.

23 March 2006, LINK Landscape Taskforce

Scotland's Landscape Heritage

Scottish Environment LINK's Landscape Task Force letter to Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development.

12 February 2006, LINK Deer Taskforce

Deer Management Planning in Scotland – A case for Stronger Measures

All species of wild deer are free-ranging wild animals belonging to no-one whilst alive. As a keystone species, they play a crucial role in the Scottish landscape, its biodiversity, culture and economy. However, since different interest groups favour different levels of deer population, they also give rise to controversy. The challenge is to find an effective means of agreeing appropriate population levels in each area, and ensuring that agreed levels are then achieved.

This paper from LINKs Deer Taskforce lays out the case for stronger deer management planning.

1 February 2006, LINK Marine Taskforce

Marine Bulletin One:
A Coastal and Marine National Park for Scotland

By 2008 Scotland will have the UK’s first Coastal and Marine National Park (CMNP). It will be a multiple-use area in which conservation, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, forestry, recreation and tourism will be encouraged.

Argyll coast and islands, Lochaber and Skye, the Northwest Highland Coast, the Western Isles, Shetland, and the Solway, Clyde and Moray Firths have all been identified as possible sites, and communities and local authorities in these areas are deciding how to respond. Whichever area is finally chosen during 2006, LINK members believe a Park offers an opportunity to its coastal communities to shape their long-term future if it is welldesigned.

6 December 2005, LINK Deer Taskforce

Caenlochan Deer Numbers

Letter to Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development from the LINK Deer taskforce, voicing support for plans to reduce deer numbers at Caenlochan in the Cairngorms.

1 December 2005, LINK Climate Taskforce

Electricity in Scotland – Transmission and Distribution

An examination in public, either through Strategic Environmental Assessment or by a Planning Inquiry, must be undertaken by Scottish Ministers before significant upgrading of the electricity transmission system in Scotland. Major expansion of the grid should not take place without a clear policy context and proper integration with sustainable development principles.

28 November 2005, LINK Biodiversity Taskforce

Will We Make a Difference?
A review of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plans (2005-2007).

This comprehensive analysis of the SBS Implementation Plans (2004-2007) indicates that the actions place unequal emphasis on each of the five objectives of the SBS. In particular, they give clear priority to increasing awareness and enjoyment of biodiversity (Objective 2) and developing an effective management framework (Objective 4). Together these objectives account for 65% of the actions. In contrast, approximately only 7% of actions are focussed on halting the loss of species and habitats. This, we believe, reflects an imbalance that will ultimately fail to deliver sufficient effective action to meet the EU target to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

See also: baseline evaluation data (xls)

30 September 2005, LINK Climate Taskforce

LINK Climate Change Action Plan

LINK member bodies believe that Scotland needs urgent action on climate change and highlight the 10 key points
 

7 September 2005, LINK Landscape Taskforce

Scotland's Wild Landscapes: What Future?

Following the passing of Scotland’s historic Land Reform Act, wild landscapes have a renewed place in the nation’s thinking. The strengthening of access rights should provide a stronger bond between the people of Scotland and our wilder places making them more attractive to more people. Consequently Scotland needs to take the next step in securing the value of wild landscapes for those who live beside them, those across Scotland as a whole and those who come to our country to marvel at those places where they can find peace, sanctuary, adventure and physical and mental restoration.

1 September 2005, LINK Marine Taskforce

Marine Bulletin Three: Marine Spatial Planning

Pressure on our seas is growing: fish farms, pipelines, tourist boats and dredging machinery all vie for space. These uses can conflict with one another and have adverse environmental impacts, blocking sustainable development and wrecking the economic and social benefits of nature conservation.

In contrast to the well-developed terrestrial planning system, no overall framework exists for planning the use of the sea. Instead, there is an ad hoc sectoral approach to consenting of marine activities, involving different pieces of legislation, using different scales and means of mapping, and all managed by different authorities. The inevitable result is planning disputes that waste time and money, undermine the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of new developments and put wildlife and historic features at risk.

19 July 2005, LINK Freshwater Taskforce

Abstraction and Impoundment Charging Scheme

The Regulatory Stakeholder Forum gives an opportunity for all interested parties to provide input into the development of the charging scheme. We would like to emphasise that similar approach should be taken to all areas of work on WFD implementation. The Freshwater Taskforce supports the principles of charging as outlined in the consultation document, and our main comments are written below...

10 May 2005, LINK Freshwater Taskforce

Controlled Activities Regulations Proposals for Regulation

These regulations provide an effective and proportionate framework for regulation of activities that pose risk to the water environment, and which will ensure the well-being of our rivers, lochs, coasts and wetlands for generations to come. These will complete an important part of the implementation of the secondary legislation, following the acclaimed primary legislation delivered by the Scottish Parliament, of the Water Framework Directive. The approval of these regulations will safeguard water as an important asset for Scotland's economy, wildlife, tourism and people.

7 May 2005, LINK Freshwater Taskforce

Water Framework Directive and Flooding – Implications for Flooding Policies in Scotland

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000. It is widely recognised as one of the most far-reaching pieces of environmental legislation ever to emerge from Europe.

The WFD has substantial legal and administrative implications for the future of flood risk management in the UK. In Scotland, these implications were recognised and the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced a new duty on Scottish ministers, SEPA and ‘responsible’ authorities to promote sustainable flood management.

29 April 2005, LINK Planning Taskforce

Planning for a Better Environment
A Manifesto for the Proposed Planning Bill

The Town and Country Planning system plays a key role in protecting and enhancing our natural, cultural and built heritage. However, experience of working with the planning system leads us to believe that unless specific changes are made to the existing planning system it will increasingly fail to deliver for Scottish people and their environment.

The Scottish Executive has indicated its intention to publish a planning white paper in the spring of 2005 and to introduce a planning bill before the end of this parliamentary session. In order to restore public confidence and create a planning system that reflects the needs of the 21st century we recommend that the following five-point plan be incorporated into the Executive’s proposals for change.

1 March 2005, LINK Landscape Taskforce

The Landscape Opportunity

Our surroundings affects the quality of life, both positively and negatively, of all Scots whether living adjacent to the finest beach, mountain, edge of town country park, area planned by a 19th century draughtsman or living in a small village surrounded by quarries or landfill sites. The unique diversity of our landscape inheritance whether natural or man-made, is fundamentally linked to our identity.

The LINK Landscape Task Force believe it is important that the UK becomes a signatory to the European Landscape Convention, as it provides for greater involvement of local populations in decisions affecting their landscape surroundings. We urge the Scottish Executive to recommend adoption of the ELC to the UK Government.

28 February 2005, LINK Climate Taskforce

LINK Concern Paper for the Environmental Advisory Forum For Renewable Energy (EAFRE)

In LINK’s energy policy statement and in the evidence LINK submitted to the parliamentary inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland we highlighted our concerns and sought action from the Scottish Executive.
The 13 key points arising from these papers and based on the experience of LINK member organisations are given.
 

5 January 2005, LINK

Bureaucratic Burden or Efficient Accountable Administration?

An independent body to oversee strategic environmental assessment in Scotland: bureaucratic burden or efficient accountable administration?

This report intends to inform the debate about whether an independent organisation to administer Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is needed to support the Scottish Ministers desire to make Scotland a world leader in SEA. Interlocking roles an independent body could perform were developed from literature about the administration of environmental assessment in several countries and studies regarding “effective” SEA; arguments for and against a freestanding administrative body have then been assessed in the context of these roles and existing/proposed Scottish legislation.

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

Scotland's Coastal Confusion

Scottish Environment LINK’s Marine Task Force believes that the current regulatory framework does not support the sustainable development and marine conservation aspirations of coastal communities and sea users throughout Scotland. Here are a number of examples to illustrate how current marine management measures are confused and disjointed.

1. Firth Partnerships
2. Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative
3. Arran C.O.A.S.T.
4. Solway Whelk Fishery
5. Finding the balance with salmon farming
6. From the Braer to the Jambo: 12 years and still no MEHRAs

This discussion paper is number 6 of 6 in a series prepared for a Sustaining our Seas Seminar,

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

Marine Natural Heritage

Scotland has no proper Marine Protected Areas, regions of sea and seabed that receive effective protection from damaging activities. Marine biodiversity protection suffers from the same basic lack of a sustainable management framework that affects management of the marine environment as a whole

This discussion paper is 5 of 6, from a series prepared for a Sustaining Scotland's Seas seminar

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

Inshore Fisheries

Difficulties facing Scottish offshore fisheries, such as cod and haddock, have been widely publicised. 17 out of 21 commercial fish stocks are outside their safe biological limits, in other words - at risk of irreversible collapse. However, the future of Scotland’s inshore fisheries is also in the balance.

Often overlooked in these difficult times for the wider fishing industry, inshore fisheries are experiencing problems of their own. Inshore fish and shellfish stocks support almost three-quarters of the Scottish fleet. However, they are under mounting pressure for a variety of reasons including the displacement of fishing effort resulting from restrictions on the offshore fleet. There is work to be done if Government and the fishing industry are to help ensure the sustainability of the inshore fish and shellfish stocks and the environment that supports them.

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

Finfish Aquaculture

The Scottish finfish aquaculture industry today is struggling to be economically,socially or environmentally sustainable, with widespread job losses resfailure to compete on a global market based on quantity, not quality. This crisis follows two decades of rapid expansion without a strategy for the long term future of the industry, or plan incorporating the environment and the needs of other users. The Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture (SFSA) launched in March 2003, makes a commitment to more sustainable aquaculture but further fundamental action is needed.

This discussion paper is 3 of 6 from a series prepared for Sustaining Scotland's Seas seminar.

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

How to Sustain our Seas

Why is radical reform needed? Current management of human activities in Scotland’s marine environment is integrated nor co-ordinated. Offshore development, aggregate and oil neither extraction, pipeline and cable laying, fisheries, aquaculture, pollution, shipping and recreational activities vie with one another to operate effectively with many adversely affecting the sea and its life

For a sustainable future, activities in the sea must be managed by integrating environmental, social and economic objectives so human needs and thos of wildlife habitats, and marine processes are met the short and long term. Scotland and the UK are obliged under international and European commitments to sustainably manage our seas and coasts on the basis of an ecosystem-based approach

Our current system falls short on several counts. Management is sectoral rather than intergrated; reactive rather than planned; driven by short term decicions, rather than on a long-term basis; based on resource exploitation rather than limited by the capacity of the marine ecosystem to support uses. To blame is the piecemeal development of marine regulation; adding to existing legislation without a strategic review or reform of the overall legislative and governance framework. The result is a complex management structure made up of Scots Law, UK law, EU and International law and commitments, and a plethora of legislation which is ill fit for purpose, has not incorporated conservation considerations and lacks a coherent framework for managing or policing it.

This discussion paper is 2 of 6 in a series prepared for a seminar on Sustaining Scotland's Seas

22 September 2004, LINK Marine Taskforce

A Future for our Seas

A rescue package for Scotland’s seas is desperately needed and only a whole package (see overleaf) underpinned by framework legislation, a Marine (Scotland) Act, will deliver healthy seas and safeguard the resources and communities that depend upon them.

Current management of the coasts and seas around Scotland is fragmented, outdated and unable to take account of local communities’ relationship with the sea. Several parts of Government deal with marine issues, yet there is no lead body and no overarching marine strategy to streamline their work. The system is failing people and our environment. It is time to deliver truly sustainable management of our seas. Scotland’s seas support 8,000 higher marine species and a myriad of habitats that underpin important economic and social activities: from recreational - diving, sailing, tourism and angling - to industrial – energy generation, oil extraction, shipping, aquaculture and fisheries. However, growing human pressures threaten the health of the sea, precious marine life and the livelihoods of those dependent upon it

30 June 2004, LINK Planning Taskforce

Widening Rights of Appeal in Planning
LINK Planning Task Force Briefing

We believe introducing a Third Party Right of Appeal would be a significant first step towards delivering an accessible, equitable and effective planning system in Scotland.

An extended right of appeal must be a key part of the wider programme of modernisation of the planning system.
 

1 July 2003, LINK Climate Taskforce

LINK Energy Statement July 2003

Scotland can do much more to meet the climate challenge. Members of Scottish Environment LINK propose 11 measures.
 

1 March 2003, LINK

For Better or Worse? Environment Policy in the First Four Years of Scotland’s Parliament.

The establishment of the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 brought not only new political institutions to Scotland, but also new aspirations and expectations of what might be achieved through the devolution settlement. Certainly the principle of devolution, and the specific powers vested in the Parliament, meant that it could address issues of importance to Scotland quicker than was previously the case, and with policies tailored specifically to Scottish needs and priorities.

This report, with input from many of the key players such as the Minister and Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, examines the way in which the Scottish Parliament and Executive have risen to the particular challenges posed by the issues of Environment and Sustainability, whether through legislation, policies, strategies, initiatives, action plans, reports or debates.

10 September 2002, LINK Marine Taskforce

Seas Fit for Scotland

Although a small nation, Scotland has a comparatively large proportion of north-west European seas. Scotland is therefore a major stakeholder, with significant responsibility for conservation of the marine biodiversity and protection of the livelihoods of coastal communities, not only of Scotland but also of Europe as a whole. The second term of the Scottish Parliament provides new legislative, policy making and organisational prospects. The Scottish Parliament and Executive must seize this opportunity to safeguard the marine and coastal splendour that surrounds Scotland for the benefit of marine life and future generations. Member bodies of Scottish Environment LINK look forward to helping realise this opportunity.

11 June 2002, LINK Sustainable Scotland Taskforce

Managing to be Sustainable

The aim of this one day conference was to help Scottish Business across all sectors become more competitive by identifying and assessing some of the current trends and indicating how Government could facilitate a shift towards sustainability to reflect some of the above opportunities. There were around 90 attendees and, whilst few businesses attended, many business-linked agencies were there.

19 May 1999, LINK

Land Reform Policy Group report Recommendations for Action

Although we appreciate that the report marks the end of the LRPG's consultation process and invites no further response at this stage, we feel it might be helpful to summarise some of the reactions to its content which have emerged at subsequent discussions within LINK.

Including: Countryside and Natural Heritage Issues, Land ownership and stewardship, Urban Dimension, Law reform, Land-Value Taxation.