About Scottish Environment Protection Agency
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was set up as a non-departmental public body and as such is accountable to the Scottish Parliament through the Scottish Ministers. SEPA was created to be independent of the Government to ensure objective reporting of the state of the environment
SEPA’s main role is to protect the environment and human health in a way that encourages investment in sustainable economic growth, by controlling activities that can cause harmful pollution and by monitoring the quality of Scotland’s air, land and water. SEPA publish a wide range of environmental information and advise Ministers, partner bodies, regulated industry and the public on environmental issues.
The organisation regulates those activities that may pollute land, water and air including the storage, transport and disposal of waste and the keeping and storage of radioactive materials. They are also responsible for maintaining Scotland’s flooding warning system, implementing Scotland’s National Waste Strategy and controlling, with the Health and Safety Executive, the risk of major accidents at industrial sites.
SEPA works in partnership to achieve the Government’s priorities for the environment, for sustainable development, for climate change, for the economy and for cleaner, safer neighbourhoods. Regulation is an enabler to sustainable economic growth. They aim to support and encourage businesses through better, risk based regulation, value for money, customer service and expert advice.
SEPA’s customers include the companies they regulate, the communities they help protect and the many organisations they work with to help deliver environmental and economic success for Scotland.
So much of what SEPA needs to do can only be delivered through joint effort, where SEPA is just one partner in multi agency programmes of work. Here are some of the highlights that they will be involved in during the three years 2008 - 2011.
Action for Climate Change
- Supporting the Government in developing the Scottish Climate Change Bill
- Being part of the Government’s climate change communications campaign
- Advising and regulating industries to help them reduce harmful emissions
Action against Flooding
- Supporting the Government in developing the Scottish Flooding Bill
- Delivering flood warnings to people at risk from flooding
- Helping planning authorities avoid flood risks in new developments
Sustainable Seas
- Supporting the Government in developing the Scottish Marine Bill
- Contributing scientific knowledge about the state of the marine environment
- Being part of the Scottish marine monitoring network
Streamlining the Planning System
- Focusing on helping major development plans achieve environment and economical success
- Delivering clear, effective responses to planning consultations
- Dovetailing our responses with those of other agencies, to avoid duplication and achieve greater impact
Rural Services
- Helping deliver joined up public services to rural customers
- Synchronising farm inspections with other agencies to reduce the burden on farmers
Scottish Environmental Sciences
- Supporting the Government in developing an environmental science strategy for Scotland
- Sharing knowledge with our fellow scientists in Scotland
- Informing public policy by reporting on the state of Scotland’s environment
