Update on the right to a healthy environment

As you may already be aware from the wider news our call last month for the Scottish Government retain their commitment to the right to a healthy environment (RtHE) was rejected by the First Minister.

Mr Swinney justified this decision on the grounds that including the RtHE in next year’s Scottish Human Rights Bill “could create uncertainty and unintended delays to decision-making, potentially impacting the delivery of vital initiatives to meet net zero ambitions” and is “not yet grounded in an international treaty or interpretive guidance, unlike the other rights proposed for incorporation in this bill”.

Since the announcement on 28 October confirming the government’s position numerous MSPs have spoken about it. Gillian Mackay MSP raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions last week (from 14.20.35 in the recording). The decision has also been criticised in the media by Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP and by Holly Bruce MSP.