SEPA's role

SEPA aims to be an effective regulator and a respected authority on the environment. We work to protect, inform and engage communities and promote economic well-being across Scotland. Raising awareness of environmental problems and solutions is the first step to promoting respect for our environment.

SEPA makes a significant contribution to Scotland's response to, and understanding of, climate change. Our regulatory powers help to control industrial emissions, which have declined by over 40% since 1990. These powers do not, however, extend to all of the key sectors that contribute to Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Examples of some of the work SEPA does in the context of climate change include:

• Floodline
  SEPA works closely with other organisations to manage flood risk in Scotland and promote sustainable flood management practices.
  
  
• Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory
  We manage a register of site specific emissions to air and water for a range of specific pollutants.
  
  
• EU Emissions Trading Sysyem
  We implement the European Union Emissions Trading System, which requires Member States to set annual carbon dioxide emission limits for power plants and energy-intensive industries. Unused emission quotas can be traded, and emitters that exceed their quota must buy more or risk penalties.
  
  
• CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
  This is a new scheme that will apply mandatory emissions to cut carbon emissions from large commercial and public sector organisations. SEPA will be responsible for registering and monitoring scheme participants.
  
  
• Policy issues
  The production, use and disposal of fluorinated gases and ozone depleting substances also falls under SEPA's regulatory remit. We have been working with the Scottish Government to resolve policy issues on the regulation of energy efficiency under Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permits for Scottish Industry.
  
  
• Advice to operators
  Our work with the agricultural and rural land use sectors promotes awareness of soil conservation, the minimisation of nutrient and agrochemical loss, reduced waste production and emissions to air.

SEPA provides guidance and advice to businesses and other organisations, particularly through promoting environmental best practice. Businesses that think about their environmental impact and implement resource efficiency measures demonstrate substantial cost savings and reduce environmental emissions to land, air and water.

• NetRegs
  SEPA is the Scottish partner for NetRegs, which provides free internet-based guidance on compliance with environmental regulation for small and medium-sized businesses throughout the UK.
  
  
• Greening SEPA
  Our internal environmental policy commits SEPA to applying high standards of environmental responsibility to all of its operations. These include targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, sustainable transport, waste minimisation, greener procurement and the promotion of biodiversity.
  
  
• Scotland’s National Waste Strategy
  Working closely with the Scottish Government, the waste industry, non government organisations and other stakeholders, SEPA plays a key role in co-ordinating Scotland’s National Waste Strategy. Waste collection, treatment and disposal impose considerable burdens on the physical, natural, cultural and human environment. If we adopt the best options for waste management in Scotland, greenhouse gas emissions will have reduced by an amount equivalent to taking 700,000 cars off the road (that’s some 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2020.
  
  
• Transport
  SEPA does not have formal transport regulatory powers, however, decisions taken in transport policy have environmental consequences for air, water and land management and climate change. Efforts to encourage traffic reduction, for example, will also assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We work with local authorities and others to reduce the environmental impact of transport.