Delivering for Scotland in 2023

We reported on the state of Scotland's environment, from greenhouse gas emissions to air, resources and water. 

• Our science enabled the introduction of Scotland's first low emission zone, with a tool demonstrating air quality improvements from its introduction and a rise in compliance rates.
• Publication of the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory data for 2022
• Household waste stats for 2022, showing the lowest amount of household waste landfilled since 2011.
• The latest Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Report showing levels of within international dose limits. 

We showcased the best in Scottish sustainable business at the SEPA VIBES Awards. 

Teaching sustainable survival skills to children, producing craft beers with sustainability at their core, and designing and manufacturing thermal storage batteries are just some of the efforts from organisations across Scotland recognised at the 2023 awards. 

VIBES recognises the drive for positive and radical environmental action as well as setting the bar high for other businesses to follow.

As Scotland's national flood forecasting and warning agency we provide critical warning to communities and businesses.

• Through October's exceptional flood events we kept the nation up to date with the latest situation.
• We help people to be prepared and appealed for as many people as possible to sign up for Flood Alerts and Warnings.
• We enhanced the Scottish Flood Forecast, informing the public of flooding up to three days in advance.
• We launched the River Carron Flood Warning Scheme, letting people who live and work in the area know they can receive free flood messages when there is a risk of flooding in the area.

We helped Scotland to respond to water scarcity and continued to be the driving force for improvements in the water environment:

• The removal of the Garlogie Dam on Dunecht Estate means salmon can now access about 20 kilometres of precious spawning habitat.
• We proposed new protections for wild Atlantic Salmon in the seas around Scotland's West Coast and Western Isles.
• We helped Scotland gain its highest number of bathing waters on record.

Our regulatory activities helped Scotland to avoid serious environmental harms and tackle local environmental performance at sites across Scotland:

• We confirmed the completion of remediation work at Dalgety Bay following legacy radioactive contamination.
• We confirmed regulatory requirements at Mossmorran, reducing the impact of flaring on local communities.
• We disrupted waste crime and supported a circular economy.
• We issued the first Scottish penalty for a greenhouse gas leak under F-Gas Regulations.