7.1 Section 19 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires the Responsible Authority to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS in a manner which enables them to also identify unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and to enable them to take appropriate remedial action. Section 18(3)(f) requires the Responsible Authority to set out monitoring measures in the post-adoption SEA statement.
7.2 The Environmental Report highlighted that the direct significant environmental effects associated with the SCCB will be related to its success in driving continued emissions reductions, therefore Table 7.1 below provides an overview of the proposed reporting framework for the SCCB as introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
7.3 This framework focuses on reporting on emissions reductions through annual reports, reports on emissions, reports on the 2030 and 2050 targets as well as reporting on the policy measures to be introduced to meet the reduction targets and to compensate for any years where targets have been missed.
7.4 The Environmental Report also highlighted that potentially significant indirect environmental effects could be realised through measures brought forward as a result of efforts to meet reduction targets. Therefore when the SCCB comes into force as an Act, wider environmental elements would be more appropriately monitored through lower level plans, programmes and strategy frameworks. Key to meeting this recommendation is the requirement for Ministers to report on new plans or policy measures to meet reduction targets.
7.7 Table 7.2 below provides a summary of potential indirect effects identified through the SEA assessments and an indication of the range of available strategic options that could be employed to develop mitigation and wider reporting requirements. This table is provided for information purposes only, it does not specify responsibilities for mitigation and reporting, and is intended to demonstrate that lower level strategic frameworks could be used to monitor the wider influence of action to meet carbon reduction targets. Further work will likely be required to rationalise reporting mechanisms to fully reflect the influence of the Scottish Climate Change Bill.
What is to be reported/ monitored | Frequency/ Source/ Responsibility | Action Required |
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Annual Reporting Duty |
- GHG emissions levels in each calendar year
| The Scottish Ministers will be placed under a duty to lay a report before the Parliament annually Information will be reported from various sources, most notably disaggregated figures from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. | If the annual emissions target has been exceeded, the report should also explain why |
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- the methods used in calculating these
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- whether the levels indicate an increase or a decrease on the previous year
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- the aggregate emissions figures
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- details of the carbon units added to, or set against, the net Scottish emissions for the year
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- comparative figures from each GHG's baseline years
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- Scotland's electricity consumption
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- the quantity of electricity generated in Scotland (this will be broken down by source - coal, oil & gas, hydroelectric etc.)
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Report and statement on proposals and polices designed to meet future annual emissions targets |
Scottish Ministers will be required to lay a report before the Scottish Parliament setting out proposals and policies for meeting the current and future annual emissions targets, up to and including the annual targets just set | In practice, this report will require to be made at least once every five years | As soon as reasonably practicable after setting any batch of annual emissions targets |
Report and statement on proposals and policies designed to compensate for exceeding annual emissions targets |
If targets are not met, Scottish Ministers should also lay a report and make a statement on the proposals and policies by which they will compensate for excess emissions | Variable | Where Scottish emissions exceed an emissions target |
Requirement to seek scrutiny of advisory body |
Scottish Ministers will be required to seek the views of the UK Committee on Climate Change (or a Scottish body which has been tasked with carrying out its functions in Scotland) on progress towards achievement of the annual targets that have been set, the mid-point 2030 target and the 2050 target | Each year, following the annual statement on emissions | Ministers will be required to publish a response to the points made in the report by the advisory body |
Reports on proposals and policies for adaptation to climate change |
Scottish Ministers will also report on their objectives in relation to adaptation to climate change, proposals and policies for meeting them and the timescales within which they will be introduced | In practice, the UK risk assessment will be published every five years and the Scottish Ministers response made as soon as practicable thereafter | These reports should respond to the risks posed by climate change identified in each UK-wide risk assessment prepared in accordance with section 56 of the UK Climate Change Act. |
Final statements for 2030 and 2050 |
Scottish Ministers will also lay a final statement in respect of the 2030 and 2050 targets. | These reports will be distinct from the annual reports in respect of 2030 and 2050 which will focus on the action in these two calendar years as opposed to the long term targets | Statement will set out whether the 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets have been met and, if not, why not |
Reporting by public bodies |
The Bill will also contain an enabling power which will allow the Scottish Ministers to create secondary legislation which would place on any specified parts of the public sector duties to take action on climate change | Should such duties be created, Ministers will also be granted the power to require the public bodies in question to report on their progress | These powers are deliberately broad in scope and it is intended that should they ever be used, this would be done in full consultation with the public bodies in question |
Key SEA Climate
Issues/ Inter-relationships | Potential Impacts of
GHG Emissions Reduction Activity | Strategic Mitigation/
Reporting Options |
Climatic Factors |
Global action required - Unilateral action in Scotland/ UK not sufficient
- Localised GHG emission reductions may have no influence on global climate change
| - Emissions reduction in UK/ Scotland must be coupled with effective lobbying to drive similar action in other developed nations
- Use of carbon trading, CDM & JI will go some way to reducing global emissions burden but will not directly affect actual Scottish emission levels
| Not applicable. UK Climate Change Act and Scottish Climate Change Bill set the legislative standard for action, but have no direct influence on emissions outwith the UK. However, the SCCB reporting framework requires an account of carbon trading through international mechanisms. |
Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna |
Habitats & species Adaptation to climate change - Loss of BAP & Priority Habitats or European Protected Species
- Potential loss of species at the limit of their range in Scotland
- Potential damage to marine diversity/ ecology
| - Move to biofuels/ biomass may lead to re-intensification of agricultural land and associated diffuse pollution effects on aquatic biodiversity
- Field homogenisation, loss of field boundary features and habitat connections
- Wind farms may disturb sensitive peat/ moorland/ sub-sea habitats
| - Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
- Locational Guidance on Renewables Development
- Agriculture Policy and Sectoral Climate Change Action Plan
- Scottish Soil Framework and proposed Monitoring Network
- Accreditation schemes (eg. Forest Stewardship Council for timber products)
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Soil and Land Use |
GHG emissions from Scottish soils - Temperature and precipitation links
- Potential to become net GHG emitter rather than carbon sink
Loss of soil organic matter - Loss of carbon store and other soil functions
- Diminished water retention, increasing flooding risks
- Indirect GHG releases
Soil stability - - Potential for increased erosion and landslides
- Indirect GHG releases
Fertiliser use/ livestock emissions - Nitrates and nitrous oxide release
- Minor methane release
Carbon sequestrations from land use - Increasing forestry cover
- Biomass potential
| - Windfarm installations and access routes can exacerbate soil losses directly and by affecting soil stability (eg. peat slides)
- Long-term benefit of renewable source of energy may be outweighed by GHG release from soils
- Soil disturbance leads to indirect effects on water quality and aquatic biodiversity
- Fertiliser and other agricultural GHG emissions can be limited but probably not eradicated
- Land use change to biomass crops could exacerbate intensive agriculture emissions/ soil losses to air and water
- Key issue is to maintain soil carbon stocks, maximising sequestration potentials across Scotland and minimising flooding and diffuse pollution risks
- Sustainable forestry management using appropriate woody species may benefit soils, biodiversity, water and air
| - Scottish Soil Framework and proposed Monitoring Network
- Locational Guidance on Renewables Development
- Methodological Guidance on Calculating Carbon savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peat Lands (Scottish Government Guidance development by the University of Aberdeen and the Macaulay Land Use Institute)
- Agriculture Policy and Sectoral Climate Change Action Plan
- Land Management Options/ Contracts
- Scottish Forestry Strategy
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Water |
Precipitation change - Increasing summer droughts
- Increased risk of flooding
Water resources - - Indirect impact of climate effects on other receptors (esp. soils)
Sea level rise - Coastal areas at risk in Scotland
- Stronger storm surges, higher waves
Water Quality - Energy input for water treatment (drinking water and waste water)
| - Potential for biomass options to change hydrological regimes due to irrigation demand
- Hydro renewables (dams or in-river) can impact upon terrestrial and aquatic receptors
- Business and domestic growth adds pressure on water supplies, exacerbated by widespread system leakage (poor energy and resource efficiency)
- Construction of flood defence systems (adaptation) may exacerbate soil losses and GHG emissions from extensive concrete use
- Construction of more energy efficient buildings can place heavy demand on water resources
| - Scottish Water policies and action under the Carbon Reduction Commitment
- Scottish Adaptation Framework
- Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill ( SP Bill 15)
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Air |
GHG Emissions as Air Pollutants - GHG Emissions to air incl. CO2, Nox, CH4, HFC, PFC, SF6
- Associated emissions of particulates
- Associated odour nuisance
| - Potential for some renewable energy systems (eg. CHP and Waste Incineration) to degrade local air quality through particulate release
- Widespread change to biomass options may exacerbate local respiratory health conditions (eg. asthma, hay fever)
- Windfarm development may increase methane emissions from high carbon (peaty) soils (odours)
| - PPC Regulations (enforced and monitored by SEPA)
- Locational Guidance on Renewables Development
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Population & Human Health |
Demographic Change - Ageing population could result in higher domestic emissions and increased demand as older people stay home more, in older less efficient properties
- Heat & Flooding increases demands on healthcare and domestic energy
- Increasing urbanisation
Transport - Increasing reliance on private car and limited use of public transport
- Tourism growth
Behavioural Change - Patterns of consumption
- Domestic energy & water use & waste
Business & Industry - Energy & water use
- Flooding issues
- Improving efficiencies
| - Building efficiencies and standards may help reduce demand but mostly in new builds
- New construction, flood defences and other adaptations may increase GHG emissions
- Increasing urbanisation directly affects landscape, biodiversity, soil, water, air and material assets and emissions
- Promoting modal shift and reducing private vehicle use benefits emissions reductions and improves urban air quality
- Tourism growth brings significant revenue but can exacerbate population GHG emissions in peak seasons
- Consumption levels difficult to control, but improved standards in products sold and packaging levels may reduce emissions
- Energy efficient consumer products may encourage greater use, hence increasing emissions
- Increasing housing stock will increase overall water/ energy demand and waste generation
- Water leakage and resource use increases energy demand also
- Business growth will similarly increase energy and water demand
- Potential preventative measures to avoid disruption from flooding may increase short-term GHG emissions
| The SCCB as submitted to the Scottish Parliament contains a range of provisions including: - Duty on Scottish Ministers to Promote Energy Efficiency
- Improving Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings
- Assessment of Historic and Traditional Buildings
- Renewable Heat
- Inclusion of International Aviation and Shipping Emissions
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Ministerial Reporting on Policies and Proposals to meet Annual Targets
Other strategic mitigation and reporting options include: - Scottish Adaptation Framework
- National Transport Strategy
- Visit Scotland's New Strategy for Scottish Tourism
- Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill ( SP Bill 15)
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Material Assets |
Energy - Supply & demand management
- Energy efficiency
- Renewables
- Grid infrastructure/ distributed generation/ micro-generation
- Conventional production
- Nuclear
| - Demand reduction has significant positive impacts by reducing overall energy inputs to electricity supply
- Energy efficiency presents best opportunity for short term gains in reducing emissions (up to 13:1 ratio, ie. reduce end user demand 1 unit, returns up to 13 saved by not providing energy)
- Renewables installation may have significant localised impacts on biodiversity, water, landscape
- Micro-renewables may have impacts on townscapes and historic environment (visual impact on conservation areas)
- Conventional fossil fuel power generation exacerbates GHG emissions, carbon capture not yet proven, does not prevent upstream energy inputs and may have significant localised impacts depending on location and technology
- Nuclear power emits no CO2 in operation but requires massive energy and resource use in construction, waste management and fuel processing, also presents long term security and waste issues
| The SCCB as submitted to the Scottish Parliament contains a range of provisions including: - Duty on Scottish Ministers to Promote Energy Efficiency
- Improving Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings
- Assessment of Historic and Traditional Buildings
- Renewable Heat
- Ministerial Reporting on Policies and Proposals to meet Annual Targets
Other strategic mitigation and reporting options include: - Scottish Adaptation Framework
- Renewables Obligation and Targets
- Energy Efficiency Strategy
- Carbon Capture and Storage
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Waste management - Reduction
- Recycling
- Composting
- Landfill
- Incineration
| - Improved waste management and separation of organic waste at source can have wide ranging benefits
- Reduction in waste presents imperative to minimise packaging, also leading to emissions reductions
- Domestic composting can reduce burden on waste facilities and aerobic composting reduces methane production
- Improved recycling reduces energy and emissions burden of primary production
- Incineration for electrical power production only is inefficient in terms of power produced by calorific input and it reduces local air quality
| The SCCB as submitted to the Scottish Parliament contains a range of provisions including: - Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Ministerial Reporting on Policies and Proposals to meet Annual Targets
Other strategic mitigation and reporting options include: - National Waste Plan
- Energy from Waste options delivered under the National Planning Framework
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Development & Infrastructure - Construction effects
- Raw material extraction & use
- Buildings and energy efficiency
| - End product/ building efficiencies in energy use do not account for energy used and emissions produced during construction
- Materials choice and transportation can increase emissions, for example cement imported from abroad produces significant quantities of CO2 in manufacture and transport but emissions would not count as Scottish emissions
- This might seem a better carbon option than locally-produced, particularly traditional materials, where all the production carbon will be counted against Scottish totals but does not fit with a responsible and sustainable approach to addressing the global problem of climate change.
- Building orientation may help maximise energy efficiency but could impact landscape/ townscapes
- Development location and piecemeal encroachment can have serious cumulative impacts
| The SCCB as submitted to the Scottish Parliament contains a range of provisions including: - Duty on Scottish Ministers to Promote Energy Efficiency
- Improving Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings
- Renewable Heat
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Ministerial Reporting on Policies and Proposals to meet Annual Targets
Other strategic mitigation and reporting options include: - Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Framework
- UK Sustainable Construction Strategy
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Transport - Infrastructure development
- Growth of transport emissions
- Private vs. public transport
- Alternative fuels
- Aviation
- Maritime
| - Improving transport infrastructure could encourage more vehicle use
- Fastest growing (terrestrial) direct emissions source but also energy and embodied carbon costs in production and transportation
- Continued global fuel demand increases costs and pollution risk
- Promotion of modal shift away from private vehicles not yet evidenced as successful
- Biodiesel from waste offers potential win-win solution for large domestic market
- Biofuel from biomass may not be viable in Scotland, imports may have local, unknown environmental impacts and increase emissions during transit
- International aviation and maritime emissions currently are not accounted for in any trading, control or efficiency system (although aviation will be included within the EU- ETS before 2013) and are each responsible for growing levels of emissions
| The SCCB as submitted to the Scottish Parliament contains a range of provisions including: - Inclusion of International Aviation and Shipping Emissions
- Ministerial Reporting on Policies and Proposals to meet Annual Targets
Other strategic mitigation and reporting options include: - Scottish Adaptation Framework
- National Transport Strategy
- Biomass Action Plan
- UK Sustainable Construction Strategy
- Scottish Freight Action Plan
|
Landscape |
Changing landscape pattern - Land use change associated with energy development (eg. biomass or wind farms)
| - Move to biofuels/ biomass may lead to increased homogenisation, loss of boundary features and disruption to local water tables
- Renewables development may degrade landscape/ townscape quality
- May increase GHG emissions from soil carbon stores
| - Locational Guidance on Renewables Development
- Scottish Soil Framework and proposed Monitoring Network
- Scottish Forestry Strategy
- Agriculture Policy and Sectoral Climate Change Action Plan
- Land Management Options/ Contracts
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Historic Environment |
Potential loss of historic assets - Coastal flooding affecting sites
- Drought and potential loss of assets preserved by water features
| - Emissions reduction may impact on the historic environment and archaeological remains through land use change
| - Locational Guidance on Renewables Development
- Scottish Adaptation Framework
- Agriculture Policy and Sectoral Climate Change Action Plan
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