Environmental governance in Scotland after Brexit: report

Environmental Governance in Scotland on the UK's withdrawal from the EU

Assessment and options for consideration:

A report by the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change

Prepared by a Sub-Group ^[1] of the Environment and Climate Change Round Table

Executive Summary

A short preliminary study has been undertaken of the possible issues relating to future environmental governance in Scotland post-Brexit. The expert group involved in making the assessments included in this report has focused on maintaining Scotland's global position as a leader in environmental governance and performance. Whilst much may depend on UK: EU negotiations and arrangements provided and agreed with the UK in due course, and much remains uncertain at this point ^[2] , consideration is given directly to Scotland's policy and governance needs and to the main issues arising. Key areas where there is a risk of disadvantage without intervention concern access to expertise in professional policy and practice networks, access to skills and the value of oversight mechanisms provided by the Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU ( CJEU) around verifying compliance with and enforcement of environmental law. Options for retaining membership of professional networks and securing appropriate oversight mechanisms are considered.