Interesting overview encompassing thinking on sustainability and one planet living. ‘Helping regulated businesses to reduce water use, carbon-based energy use, materials use ..’

‘At SEPA, we are changing the way we regulate. That’s why we are launching our new Regulatory Strategy. We have chosen the title ‘One Planet Prosperity’ to reflect the challenge all nations face of reducing the over-use of the planet’s natural resources. At SEPA, we are going to use the new powers provided to us in the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to help Scotland be one of the first places in the world to successfully tackle this challenge. We will set about the essential task of helping regulated businesses to reduce water use, carbon-based energy use, materials use and all forms of waste and pollution beyond compliance standards in ways that improve their profitability and long-term viability. And we will continue to drive all those remaining businesses not yet meeting set standards into full compliance with the environmental laws in Scotland. This is highly ambitious.

To deliver it, SEPA will need to be clearer, stronger, more innovative and more collaborative. It is a big task, but if we can pull it off, there will be great benefits for Scotland. Scottish businesses will gain strengths in resource efficiency and environmental innovation that will become increasingly valuable in global markets. The people of Scotland will benefit from economic prosperity that is more lasting, inclusive and resilient. The people of Scotland will benefit from more powerful protection of our nation’s beautiful natural environment. In the pages that follow, you will find our strategy for making all this happen and the first set of steps we will take to create the style of environmental regulation that will create a successful one planet economy here in Scotland. We look forward to working with you all as we carry out this vital work for Scotland’s future.’ Click here to read more.