Annex - Q - Partial Equality Impact Assessment
Step 1. Define the aims of the policy
Title of policy | Scotland's Zero Waste Plan 2010 |
Name of Branch or Division | Waste and Pollution Reduction Division |
Department or Agency | Environmental Quality Directorate |
What is the purpose of the proposed policy (or changes to be made to the policy)? | In his statement to the Scottish Parliament on 24 January 2008, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment announced that the Government would instigate a review of the Scotland's Zero Waste Plan for Scotland. The Scotland's Zero Waste Plan for Scotland Regulations 2007 lay down that the Scottish Ministers are responsible for preparing the Plan. Additionally, European Union Member States, under the revised Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) are required to have Waste Management Plans and they must fulfil certain requirements. In the Government's view, the Plan must also: - Outline the various targets on waste, and how they can be met.
- Show the relationship between waste and other key policy areas, such as climate change; energy and heat; land-use planning; growing the Scottish economy in a sustainable way; health; and social inclusion.
- Have high levels of support from key bodies who will be involved in implementing the Plan.
- Be action based, and have specific, measurable and realistic objectives.
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Who is affected by the policy or who is intended to benefit from the proposed policy and how? | The Plan will help to move Scotland towards Zero Waste. Each individual, whether in a private or public capacity, could potentially be affected by the Plan. Everyone creates waste whether at home or work and this waste will need to be managed in line with the Plan's objectives. The implications of the Plan include employment and business opportunities; changes to lifestyle choices; contribution to the wider climate change agenda; social and environmental benefits from diverting waste from landfill (the latter demonstrated through the Life Cycle Analysis at Annex I and the Strategic Environment Assessment, published separately) |
How have you, or will you, put the policy into practice, and who is or will be responsible for delivering it? | The Plan's development is the responsibility of the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Scotland's Zero Waste Plan for Scotland Regulations 2007. A Steering Group, Internal and External liaison and a 12 week full public consultation will inform the Plan during its development. The Plan will provide the targets and direction for waste management in Scotland. There will be an Action Plan which will set clear actions, responsibilities and timelines which will assist in the Plan's delivery. Implementation will be the responsibility of everyone in Scotland. From the Government providing the direction and delivery co-ordination; to the householder becoming involved in waste prevention and recycling schemes. Additionally, the local authorities, waste management sector and community sector will need to provide the infrastructure to achieve a Zero Waste Scotland; the regulatory and delivery bodies will need to provide the appropriate environment, support and advice to Scotland's householders and businesses: and the business community will need to participate in improved waste management practices and take advantage of business opportunities arising. |
How does the policy fit into our wider or related policy initiatives? | The Plan fits into the wider objectives of the Scottish Government, particularly Wealthier and Fairer, Greener and Healthier. It sits inside the framework of the Government's Economic Strategy and supports Strategic Outcome Agreements with local authorities The Climate Change (Scotland) Act also contains waste provisions. The Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) of Scotland's Zero Waste Plan provides a complete list of related plans, policies and programmes and their relationship with the Zero Waste Plan. |
Do you have a set budget? | The Government has a Zero Waste Fund of £154 million over the current Spending Review period (2008/09; 2009/10 and 2010/11) but no decisions about any funding from 2011/12 have yet been taken. |
Step 2: What do you already know about the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience?
Do you have information on | | | | |
Age | Yes | * | No | |
Disability | Yes | * | No | |
Gender | Yes | * | No | |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | Yes | * | No | |
Race | Yes | * | No | |
Religion and Belief | Yes | * | No | |
Age | Evidence A large number of statistics are collected on age. This includes the Scottish Household Survey http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002 and the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2005-06 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SHCS . Many of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0 The Scottish Household Survey indicates that recycling rates rise with age before falling in the 75+ age category. Consultation 12 Week public consultation. |
Disability | Evidence A large number of statistics are collected on disability. This includes the Scottish Household Survey ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002 ) and the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2005-06 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SHCS ). Many of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0 ). Further is available in the Review of Fuel Poverty 2008 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/FP/fuelpovertyreview ), the Social Focus on Disability 2004 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2004/08/19819/41697), The Scottish Household Survey indicates lower rates of recycling amongst those with a disability, long-term illness or health problem, compared to those without. The Community Recycling Network for Scotland ( CRNS) is the representative body for not for profit organisations engaged in waste prevention, reuse and recycling. It aims to work with all sections of society. A 2006 Mapping Study ( http://www.crns.org.uk/index/mapping-reports ) showed that the Community Recycling sector in Scotland: - diverted almost 73,000 tonnes of materials from landfill
- had a turnover in excess of £26 million
- employed 1,100 full time equivalent staff
- helped over 68,000 people - primarily through the provision of furniture at No/Low cost
In 2008, a study by the CRNS showed the following work carried out by their members: ( http://www.crns.org.uk/index/cms-filesystem-action/reports/provision_employmentsupport_disadvantagedpeople.pdf ) - Of 106 CRNS members who responded, 68 organisations were identified to provide some kind of employment support for disadvantaged people.
- During 2007, these organisations provided over 1,000 volunteering places, over 1,000 training places and over 150 supported jobs, all for people with some kind of disadvantage in the labour market.
- The majority of people who benefited from the opportunities created by community recyclers are unemployed and are also users of health and social services.
- Organisations work with people with a huge range of backgrounds and correspondingly diverse needs, including people who have experienced homelessness, people with mental health problems, people with offending backgrounds, people with addiction issues and disabled people.
More information on work by community recyclers to improve mental health is in Annex K Partial Health Impact Assessment. Consultation/Involvement During the 12 week consultation of the Scotland's Zero Waste Plan we will provide information and resources to the Community Recycling Network Scotland ( CRNS) to encourage community sector participation and input via their member and area forums. In addition CRNS is a member of the Scotland's Zero Waste Plan Steering group. |
Gender | Evidence A large number of statistics are collected on gender. This includes the Scottish Household Survey ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002 ). Many of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0 ). Further information is available in Social Focus on Women and Man 2002 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/sfwm/docs/sfwm-00.asp ). The Scottish Household Survey indicates that there is no real difference in recycling rates between men and women. Consultation 12 Week public consultation |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | Evidence No information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered persons is collected by the Scottish Government in relation to waste. Statistics are rarely collected on administrative data collections, partially as it is difficult to establish a robust sample frame. Consultation 12 Week Public consultation |
Race | Evidence Certain statistics are collected on race. This includes the Scottish Household Survey ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002 ). Many of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0 ). Consultation 12 Week Public consultation |
Religion and Belief | Evidence Certain statistics are collected on religion and belief. This includes the Scottish Household Survey ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002 ). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0 ). No significant factors identified at this time. Consultation 12 Week Public consultation |
Step Three: Do you have enough information to help you understand the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience?
If not, what else do you need to know?
Age | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No * |
The evidence available on age groups for the main policy areas impacted by the Plan is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. Scottish Government will continue to monitor information from the Scottish Household Survey, surveys by Waste Aware Scotland and local authorities and any future work relating to the Scottish Environmental Attitude and Behavioural Survey. |
Disability | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No |
The evidence available on people with disabilities for the main policy areas impacted by the Plan is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. Scottish Government will continue to monitor information from the Scottish Household Survey, surveys by Waste Aware Scotland and local authorities and any future work relating to the Scottish Environmental Attitude and Behavioural Survey. |
Gender | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No |
The evidence available on gender for the main policy areas impacted by the Plan is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. Scottish Government will continue to monitor information from the Scottish Household Survey, surveys by Waste Aware Scotland and local authorities and any future work relating to the Scottish Environmental Attitude and Behavioural Survey. |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No |
While no statistics have been collected, there is enough confidence that further information is not required at this time. |
Race | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No |
The evidence available on race for the main policy areas impacted by the Plan is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. Scottish Government will continue to monitor information from the Scottish Household Survey, surveys by Waste Aware Scotland and local authorities and any future work relating to the Scottish Environmental Attitude and Behavioural Survey. |
Religion and Belief | Do you have enough information to proceed? | Yes | No |
The evidence available on religion and belief for the main policy areas impacted by the Plan is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. |
Step Four: What does the information you have tell you about how this policy might impact positively or negatively on the different groups within the target audience?
Age | It is unlikely that any measures to be taken in connection with the Plan would have considerable implications on different age groups. However, there could be a negative impact for the older age group during local implementation if waste receptacles and recycling centres and points to not take account of the group's needs. Alternative options must be available where required. |
Disability | It is unlikely that any measures to be taken in connection with the Plan would have considerable implications on different disabilities. However, there could be a negative impact for some disabilities during local implementation if waste receptacles and recycling centres and points to not take account of the group's needs. Alternative options must be available were required. |
Gender | There were no significant issues in the available data. |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | No data is available. |
Race | It is unlikely that any measures to be taken in connection with the Plan would have considerable implications on different races. However, there could be a negative impact for some races during local implementation if education and awareness material is not presented to meet their needs too. Alternative options must be available were required. |
Religion and Belief | There were no significant issues in the available data. |
Step Five: Will you be making any changes to your policy?
Are there any changes? | | | | |
Age | Yes | | No | |
Disability | Yes | | No | |
Gender | Yes | | No | |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | Yes | | No | |
Race | Yes | | No | |
Religion and Belief | Yes | | No | |
Scotland's Zero Waste Plan is a high level strategic document which will have a an impact on equality during local implementation. Therefore, the following issues will have to be considered during Scotland's Zero Waste Plan implementation at a local level: - Waste collection receptacles: ensure that Local Authorities and the private industry provide different options of waste collection, if required, to take account of age and disability.
- Waste collection systems: that the siting and set up of recycling centres and points take into consideration age, race and disability.
- Waste Education and Awareness Material: ensure that this material is presented taking into consideration age, disability and race.
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Step Six: Does your policy provide the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity or good relations by altering the policy or working with others?
Age | Yes | | No | |
Disability | Yes | | No | |
Gender | Yes | | No | |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | Yes | | No | |
Race | Yes | | No | |
Religion and Belief | Yes | | No | |
Age | By working with waste delivery bodies, Government will ensure that guidance is available to encourage participation in meeting in the Plan's objectives. |
Disability | By working with waste delivery bodies, Government will ensure that guidance is available to encourage participation in meeting in the Plan's objectives. |
Gender | n/a |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | n/a |
Race | By working with waste delivery bodies, Government will ensure that guidance is available to encourage participation in meeting in the Plan's objectives. Additionally, bodies such as the Black Environment Network have been established to promote equality of opportunity with respect to ethnic communities in the preservation protection and development of the environment. |
Religion and Belief | By working with waste delivery bodies, Government will ensure that guidance is available to encourage participation in meeting in the Plan's objectives. |
Step Seven: Based on the work you have done - rate the level of relevance of your policy
Tick one box for each strand
L - Low
M - Medium
H - High
The level allocated is relevant to local implementation of the Plan's objectives rather than the objectives themselves.
Age | Disability | Gender | LGBT | Religion and belief | Race |
M | M | L | No information | L | M |
Step Eight: Is a further impact assessment required?
Age | Yes | | No | |
Disability | Yes | | No | |
Gender | Yes | | No | |
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender | Yes | | No | |
Race | Yes | | No | |
Religion and Belief | Yes | | No | |
If you have answered yes please explain why |
If you have answered no but have identified a high impact on policy please explain your decision Scotland's Zero Waste Plan is a high level strategic document which will have a direct impact on equality during local implementation. Therefore, the following issues will have to be considered during Scotland's Zero Waste Plan implementation at a local level: - Waste collection receptacles: ensure that Local Authorities and the private industry provide different options of waste collection, if required, to take account of age and disability.
- Waste collection systems: that the sighting and set up of recycling centres and points take into consideration age, race and disability.
- Waste Education and Awareness Material: ensure that this material is presented taking age, disability and race in to consideration.
The skills associated with waste management is an area that the EQIA does not cover. However, it is an important issue for the waste management industry and further information is available in Annex O. |
Step Nine: Please explain how you will monitor and evaluate this policy/function or strategy to measure progress?
Please explain how monitoring will be undertaken, when it will take place and who is responsible for undertaking it. Most of the relevant data is collected on an ongoing basis through the Scottish Household Survey. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this in relation to the implementation of the Scotland's Zero Waste Plan. Scottish Government will continue to monitor information from the Scottish Household Survey, surveys by Waste Aware Scotland and local authorities and any future work relating to the Scottish Environmental Attitude and Behavioural Survey. The Living with Environmental Change ( LWEC) initiative has as a part of its seven objectives, "to help people from different cultural and social backgrounds respond to a changing environment." The Scottish Government will follow the research initiatives within this objective workstream, eliciting salient research findings for diversity and religion and beliefs in Scotland. Additionally, the forthcoming UK Research Centre for Sustainable Behaviours (estimated start in April 2009) may produce detailed knowledge as the cultural and social dimensions of achieving Zero Waste. The implementation of the Plan at a local level must take into consideration age, race and disability, especially with regard to education and awareness, waste receptacles and facility locations and sites. |
Sign off and authorisation page
You should have completed the following steps:
Impact Assessment Steps 1-9 | Yes | No |
1. Defined the aims of your policy | X | |
2. Identified what we already know ( i.e. what does the existing evidence base tell us?) | X | |
3. Identified what more we need to know ( i.e. what gaps have we identified in our evidence base?) | X | |
4. Analysed the evidence ( i.e. what does this all mean in relation to our policies?) | X | |
5. Considered any necessary changes & identified action ( i.e. will you be taking action to make any changes? If yes, what, when and who? If not, what are your reasons for not taking any action?) | X | |
6. Identified opportunities to promote equality | X | |
7. Measured differential impact | X | |
8. Assessed whether further impact assessment work is needed | X | |
9. Outlined arrangements for monitoring & evaluation | X | |
This form should be completed by the officer who is responsible for completing the assessment.
The impact assessment should now be authorised by either the Division or Group Head or equivalent. This will be completed when the final version of the plan is published, taking on board comments received during the consultation.
Policy Title | |
Name of Branch or Division | |
Department or Agency | |
We have completed the equality impact assessment for this policy. | Name: Position: Date: |
Department authorisation | Name: Position: Date: |
On completion of this step, the equality impact assessment will be published on the Scottish Government website.