Sector plans

Overview

We recognise that as a society, we are over-using our planet’s resources, and if everyone lived as we do in Scotland, we would need three planets to sustain ourselves. In the 21st century, only those businesses, societies and nations which have developed ways to prosper within the planet’s regenerative capacity will thrive.

Scotland’s economy is becoming increasingly resource reliant and there is general acceptance of the need to live within planetary constraints.

All businesses that we regulate use water, energy and raw materials to produce the products and services they provide. In doing so, they also create waste and emissions that can harm the environment. As Scotland’s environmental regulator, we are in a unique position to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment, but also help communities and businesses thrive within the resources available. This is known as One Planet Prosperity.

In the past, our approach to regulation has been grounded in the different set of rules we manage to protect the environment. This has helped us to deliver, for example, improvements in water quality. However, it will not enable us to make the transformational changes needed to tackle today’s problems.

Our sector planning approach is at the heart of delivering one planet living in Scotland, shaping the interactions with every sector we regulate and the businesses in them. Through them, operators will get the relationship with SEPA that their attitude and performance earns.

Those that demonstrate a commitment to good environmental performance and deliver solid outcomes will receive powerful support through guidance and advice. Those that demonstrate behaviour which leads to significant or chronic non-compliance can expect SEPA to use the most appropriate enforcement tools to bring them into compliance.

Why your views matter

We want to hear what you think about these draft plans. Once finalised we will push on and implement them.So if you think we’ve got something wrong, missed something out or not been as transparent as possible, please let us know your thoughts. We want to get this right and then get on with it.