Mountaintop Removal in Appalachia, West Virginia: Case Study

Mountaintop Removal causes huge environmental destruction, dramatically alters landscapes and is linked to serious local health impacts. It involves literally blasting the tops off mountains to access thin layers of coal embedded in rock. Unsurprisingly, this is a highly controversial process in the USA where the technique has been pioneered. What's less well known are the links to Scottish banks: state owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), have been helping finance the corporations that do this horrific work.

Policy Briefing on Unconventional Gas and Fracking

An updated policy briefing outlining the key environmental impacts of unconventional gas extraction, how the industry is developing in Scotland and problems with the current regulatory framework, and calling for a ban. 

Response to the Scottish Human Rights Commission National Action Plan for Human Rights

Joint Friends of the Earth Scotland and Environmental Law Centre Scotland response to the Scottish Human Rights Commission National Action Plan for Human Rights, with a focus on environmental justice and the Aarhus Convention.

Briefing on Scottish Civil Justice Council Bill ahead of Stage 3 debate

Briefing for parliamentarians ahead of the Stage 3 debate on the Scottish Civil Justice Council Bill.  Broadly speaking, we support the creation of a Scottish Civil Justice Council with the functions outlined in the Bill. The new Council will have significant influence over access to justice and the way environmental law develops in Scotland, therefore it is crucial to ensure that it is established in accordance with the Aarhus principles of accountability, openness and participation.

Briefing on the excessive costs of challenging environmental decisions in Scottish Courts

Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES) and the Environmental Law Centre Scotland (ELCS) briefing on the excessive costs of challenging environmental decisions in Scottish Courts.  In Scotland raising challenges to environmental decisions are generally by way of judicial review. There is no doubt that judicial review is very expensive, and prohibitively so for the ordinary person.

Response to the Scottish Courts Service consultation on proposals for a court structure for the future

Joint Friends of the Earth Scotland and Environmental Law Centre Scotland response to the Scottish Courts Service consultation on proposals for a court structure for the future, as part of our Access to Environmental Justice campaign.

The Big Planning Review and What it Means for You!

A supporter briefing outlining the importance of the current review of Scottish Plannning Policy and the National Planning Framework for you and your community, and how you can engage.Don't be put off by technical jargon! Get involved, keep it simple and let the Government know that your priority for change is protecting the environment!

Cairn Energy: Arctic Cowboys

Latest campaign briefing about Cairn Energy, produced for Friends of the Earth Scotland by Ric Lander.Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy is by far the largest oil company operating in Greenland. They founded and chair the Greenland Oil Industry Association and have drilled eight out of the fourteen wells ever drilled offshore in Greenland. This briefing describes the company and its Arctic ambitions.Download the briefing

Comments on proposed Lobbying Transparency Bill

Comments on Neil Findlay MSP's proposed Bill on Lobbying Transparency. We welcome the aim of these proposals, and consider that a register of lobbyists is an important step towards greater openess and transparency in politics and decision making. However, we would like to see the Bill to go further and place certain obligations on Parliament and Government to enhance the effectiveness of such a register. 

Response to Proposals for a Better Regulation Bill

Friends of the Earth Scotland's response to the Scottish Government consultation on Proposals for a Better Regulation Bill. The stated aim of the Bill is to improve the way regulations are applied in Scotland and address concerns raised by business about regulatory inconsistency. While aspects of the Bill are welcome, we are strongly opposed to the introduction of a statutory duty on regulators to promote economic and business growth.