Who gets a say? Environmental justice and the law

Information

In partnership with the Cross-Party Group on Nature and Climate 

Who is hit hardest by pollution, climate change, and environmental degradation? Who decides how we respond to these issues? Environmental justice is about how these questions play out in real life, often revealing stark inequalities in who benefits from decision-making and who pays the price. Explore how the law can give people more power and a greater say in environmental decisions. We’ll discuss the rights that people have when it comes to protecting our local environment and most importantly, how we can use them. 

Chair: Mark Ruskell MSP, Co-Convener, Cross-Party Group on Nature and Climate

Panellists:

Professor Jill Belch is a professor of vascular medicine at the University of Dundee. Her research interests centre on cardiovascular disease and the risks for it, most recently with a focus on air quality and climate change effects on cardiovascular health. Jill is also the medical school’s chair of the sustainability committee, and co-chairs the short-term working group on air pollution at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh.

Dr Shivali Fifield is the Chief Officer for the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS). Her PhD used environmental justice theory and participatory action research with disadvantaged groups to challenge greenspace inequality in Glasgow. She has worked at a senior level in health, social work and third sector organisations to deliver robust strategic and operational responses to social, environmental and climate justice issues.

David Lintott is a barrister specialising in public law and with a keen interest in the environmental impact of land use. He founded Restore Nature in 2021, bringing together a talented group of likeminded professionals. David is also a director and active member of a local campaign group, Stobo Residents Action Group, which is challenging a planned commercial forestry plantation on moorland habitat in the Scottish Borders.

Henry Swithinbank is an avid surfer and self-confessed politics nerd. Henry has been working at Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) for four years and currently leads their political work as policy and advocacy manager. Through this role, Henry is bringing the beach front to the front bench, to ensure the voice of the ocean and water users is heard by decision makers. Before SAS, Henry worked for the Isle of Man government’s external relations department dealing with both Brexit and international development.