Award of RESAS/021/20 - Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) communications – Public Relations ...

Introduction4. The purpose of this commission is to contract communications / public relations support from the public relations framework to:Part 1:- Develop the Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) communications strategy;- Provide advice, recommendations and support for an approach to the announcement/launch of ESS when it vests later in 2021;- Provide advice and recommendations for the options for ongoing communications support for ESS post-vesting.Part 2:- Provide ongoing press office support in the pre and post vesting period, for up to one year, including: advice on media approaches; issuing press releases and general media monitoring;5. ESS is being established as a new non-ministerial office to monitor Scottish public authorities’ compliance with, and the effectiveness of, environmental law following the UK’s departure from the EU. It will be independent of the Scottish Government and will be responsible for ensuring that public authorities in Scotland comply with environmental law, including bodies and agencies such as SEPA, NatureScot & Marine Scotland.6. This contract therefore offers a unique opportunity to be involved in informing the establishment of ESS and its profile - in Scotland, across the UK and internationally - in this significant year when the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be held in Scotland.Background & Context7. A small transition team has been appointed to work with the Chair and Board to help establish ESS, ready to take on the statutory functions and powers provided for it in the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 (the Continuity Act). Public relations and communications support is required to work alongside the transition team and the Board, to develop options and proposals for ESS’ communications approach and delivery, alongside hands on press office support.