Environmental Information

The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 [EISR] provide similar rights to Freedom of Information for access to environmental information held by the University. The Regulations are regulated by the Scottish Information Commissioner. The Regulations give the public a right of access to any recorded environmental information held by “Scottish public authorities” and some other organisations. 

What is environmental information?

Environmental information has a broad definition under the regulations. This is outlined as:

  • The state of elements of the environment – such air, water, soil, land, landscape and natural sites, flora and fauna, including cattle, crops, wildlife and biological diversity – including any interaction between them
  • The state of human health and safety, conditions of human life, the food chain, cultural sites and built structures, which are, or are likely to be, affected by the state of the elements of the environment and the interaction between them
  • Any factor such as substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, including radioactive waste, emissions, discharges and other releases affecting, or likely to affect, the state of the elements of environment or any interaction between them
  • Measures and activities affecting, or likely to affect, or intended to protect the state of the elements of the environment and the interaction between them. This includes administrative measures, policies, legislation, plans, programmes and environmental agreements
  • Emissions, discharges and other releases into the environment
  • Cost benefit and other economic analyses used in environmental decision making

 Environmental information covers a broad range of topics, such as:

  • The environment itself, including air, water, earth and the habitats of animals and plants
  • Things that affect the environment, such as emissions, radiation, noise, and other forms of pollution
  • Policies, plans and laws on the environment

Information may be recorded in any format, including written, visual, audio taped or database.  Any information that fits the definition of “environmental” is covered, whether or not it was obtained as a direct consequence of the University’s environmental responsibilities.

Requesting information

The University has 20 working days to respond to these requests, calculated from the date that the University receives the request.  In exceptional circumstances, where requests are large and complex, this may be extended to 40 working days. 

Requests for information be sent to: foi@gcu.ac.uk

You can also send a request by letter to: 

Assistant Head (Information Compliance),
Department of Governance and Quality
Directorate of Student Experience, Governance and Quality
Glasgow Caledonian University
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA

Some information is exempt from disclosure and so does not have to be provided in response to a request.  Before the University can claim an exemption, it must apply the public interest test.