Join them for a panel discussion on how we can best mobilise in defence of environmental democracy, hosted by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) and Planning Democracy.
How did newts and bats become public enemy number one under the UK's first self-professed 'green chancellor'? Why is a Labour government swallowing industry spin, and accommodating private developers' every whim - with public participation in environmental decision-making now dismissed as NIMBYism, rather than a fundamental pillar of a democratic society? And how will Scotland's government respond - will it stand firm against the erosion of our environmental rights, or will it surrender legal protections for people and nature to the new false narrative of 'blockers' versus 'builders'?
They’re delighted to welcome their guest speakers:
· Lesley Riddoch, writer and broadcaster
· Laurie McFarlane, Co-Director, Future Economy Scotland
· Malcolm Tait, Professor of Planning, University of Sheffield
· Kiera Chapman, Research Fellow in Nature, Attention and Biodiversity, Oxford University
Come with your questions and join the conversation on how to respond to the screeching hostility to planning and environmental concerns, and combat the rise of right-wing populism coinciding with the UK government's embrace of a deregulatory, growth-at-all-costs agenda.
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The event is free to attend and will be hosted on Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to all attendees before the event.
They want this event to be accessible to all. If you have any particular accessibility requirements, please contact Jack (email: events@ercs.scot, tel: 0131 358 0038) as soon as you can so that they can make any arrangements required. BSL users can contact us via an online BSL/English interpreter.
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About ERCS
Their vision is of a Scotland where every person’s right to live in a healthy environment is respected, protected and fulfilled.
Their aim is to assist everyone, especially people who face the biggest barriers, to exercise their rights in environmental law and to protect the environment. They do this through:
• Awareness-raising of legal rights to increase confidence in using our rights
• Advice to increase access to justice and holding public authorities to account on the environment
• Advocacy in policy and law reform to improve environmental law
• Public interest litigation to tackle systemic environmental problems.
Find out more about us on their website
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About Planning Democracy
Planning Democracy is a community-led organisation campaigning to strengthen the voice and influence of the public in the planning and development of Scotland’s land. We aim to deepen democratic control and promote environmental justice.
They campaign to rebalance power in planning so that citizens can better shape the way their environments change.
They promote ways to enable civil society and the general public to understand and engage effectively with policy and decision making.
They bring together individuals and communities to share information and provide support for each other.
They carry out community-based research to provide a community perspective on the impacts and outcomes of planning and development.
Find out more about them on their website
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