Environment
Placing the environment at the heart of all policy making is one of the cornerstones of sustainable development, and of Government policy. That centrality is reinforced through the requirements of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). However, sustainable development also requires that the protection and enhancement of the environment, including biodiversity, is achieved alongside economic well-being and social inclusion.
Therefore, a more joined-up approach is needed which:
- Tackles environmental injustice, addressing the inequitable distribution of environmental quality;
- Encourages the development of 'green' goods and services, in line with the Scottish Government's Going for Green Growth: a Green Jobs Strategy for Scotland; and also
- Provides environmental stewardship, and protects and enhances biodiversity in line with the Biodiversity Duty on all public bodies.
The key principles that govern policy on environmental stewardship include:
- Identifying, protecting and where possible enhancing environmental assets;
- Protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
- The 'polluter pays' principle: i.e. ensuring that true costs are borne by those that impose them; and
- The precautionary principle, which enables decisions to be taken and appropriate safeguards instigated in situations where there is scientific uncertainty and potential for harm.
Assessment of environmental assets, and of risks to these and to human health, is now undertaken by reference to the baseline information gathered in the preparation of Environmental Statements. Publishing and exchanging this information in an integrated and open way should avoid data being duplicated or fragmented, mean that relevant policy decisions can be more clearly evidence based, and support constructive public participation as required by the Aarhus Convention.
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| Paths to Improvement include: | Policy | Being Implemented | Outcomes |
| Is environmental justice being secured by taking steps to reduce the relatively higher exposure to environmental hazards and nuisances of those living in deprived communities? | |||
| Are steps being taken to ensure full public participation, alerting communities to developments, providing information, reacting to responses, and explaining and informing about decisions? | |||
| Is local air quality management being achieved including the objectives set down in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations and, where required, implementing Air Quality Management Areas? | |||
| Are the management and quality of water systems being improved in accordance with the Water Framework Directive and the requirement for River Basin Management Plans? | |||
| Is the Council working with community plan partners and neighbouring authorities as appropriate towards an integrated approach to management of the coastal zone? | |||
| Is contaminated and derelict land being identified, treated and restored, including finding and implementing beneficial end uses? | |||
| Is local biodiversity being considered by all services, and safeguarded and enhanced in accordance with the duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the priorities set out in Local Biodiversity Action Plans | |||
| Are the environmental agencies being supported in identifying then reducing both specific and diffuse pollution? | |||
| Is the authority undertaking a co-ordinated and integrated approach for systematically assessing and monitoring the significant environmental effects of all strategies, plans and programmes to meet SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) requirements? | |||
| See also ensuring environmental improvements also contribute economic and social benefits (under economic development) | |||
| See also protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment, and support for green networks/ corridors and greenspace (under land use planning) | |||
| See also encouraging potential for low impact development (under land use planning) |