Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland’s Approach to Climate Change and Resilience (ACCAR) was published in August 2023 setting out a strategic framework to secure a well-adapted future for Scotland’s transport system. It includes an ambitious Vision for “A transport system which is well adapted and prepared for current and future impacts of climate change, is safe for all users, reliable for everyday journeys, and resilient to weather related disruption.” It can be found here: Transport Scotland’s Approach to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

The ACCAR provides our current approach to adaptation and Strategic Outcomes for Road, Rail, Aviation and Maritime transport networks, to address the key climate risks affecting Scotland’s transport system. A key deliverable of this work is the development of a Trunk Road Adaptation Plan, which is intended to be published in the first quarter of 2025. The Trunk Road Adaptation Plan is based on a climate vulnerability and risk assessment using the latest UK climate projections. This will compliment work of our Vulnerable Locations Group, who have been providing a number of improvements across Scotland’s trunk road network in response to extreme weather-related disruption.

There are 38.25 miles of street lighting over 150.1 miles of the A90 trunk road and the junctions of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. There are currently no plans to extend this coverage.

In reaching their decision, Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant policy. No steps are necessary to ensure alignment, as National Planning Framework 4 is a policy document to be considered as appropriate in the decision-making process.

ScotRail Trains Limited is a train operating company that is publicly owned by Scottish Rail Holdings (a Non-Departmental Public Body) on behalf of the Scottish Government. ScotRail is not an Agency of the Scottish Government.

The guidance quoted by the Member relates to questions about Scottish Government Agencies. The relevant guidance has been correctly followed when preparing an answer to question S6W-32555.

Applying the fit and proper person test in the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 to all four of SEPA’s regulatory regimes will assist in keeping criminals and illegal operators out of the waste management industry.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a centralised fee for multi-agency involvement in environmental authorisations. SEPA is Scotland’s environmental regulator, responsible for granting environmental authorisations, and regularly consults and updates the Environmental Regulations (Scotland) Charging Scheme 2018 for fees and charges.

SEPA has been preparing for implementation of the new regulatory framework for several years, investing in new systems, people, processes and support mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition in November 2025.

Implementing the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 and bringing the integrated authorisation framework into effect is identified as a key priority in its 2024-27 Corporate Plan.

A dedicated project implementation team has been working since 2023 to support the work that needs to be done before the draft Regulations come into force. This team comprised of technical, IT and legal expertise apply robust project management principles towards developing risk mitigations and contingencies that might arise.

The transitional arrangements in the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 mean the fit and proper person test under the draft Regulations will automatically apply to all relevant activities without SEPA needing to take any action.

SEPA will include fit and proper person checks of existing authorisation holders as part of its targeted monitoring and inspection programme and where relevant in investigating environmental events and complaints. Where authorisations are varied SEPA must be satisfied that the person is a fit and proper person taking account of the changes being proposed to the authorisation.

SEPA has been preparing for implementation of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 for several years, investing in new systems, people, processes and support mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to the integrated authorisation framework.

Since 2021, SEPA has developed and launched on-line services for waste carrier registrations, existing private sewage treatment systems, simple waste exemptions, and radioactive substance notification. In July 2024, SEPA launched a new digital service for those who want to apply for an authorisation for a new small-scale sewage treatment system.

When the draft Regulations come into force, SEPA will have a system that will allow all new applications to be received, paid for and issued digitally. To ensure that this system will be ready, SEPA has been developing and testing prototypes of the systems and webpages that easily direct customers and stakeholders to the information they need and takes them through the application process.

The 2024-25 Budget increased funding for SEPA by 7.3% recognising the pivotal role it plays to protect and maintain a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the people of Scotland. The draft budget for 2025-26 includes a budget increase for SEPA of 5% compared to 2024-25 budget bill allocations.

Implementing the integrated authorisation framework is identified as a high priority in SEPA’s 2024-27 Corporate Plan. Thereafter in each year, SEPA’s annual operating plan sets out how it will deliver these priorities, alongside meeting its statutory obligations, and what resources will be allocated.