Media Releases : 2021 : All

The ecological condition of Scotland’s water environment will be further protected and improved for future generations through a comprehensive new action plan, backed by enhanced resources and a multi-million pound package of investment.  Read the full statement

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have signed a formal agreement to support a sustainable future for the built environment, championing innovation and inclusive growth.  Read the full statement

The 2021 Bathing Water season has been a success for Ayr (South Beach) with water samples showing the beach achieved ‘Good’ status for the past season.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s bathing water quality is the best it has been since 2015 when tighter standards first came into force, with almost all sites now classified as sufficient or better for next season. On top of that 32 out of 85 - (38%) are rated as ‘excellent’, the highest number since the annual classifications were reported from 2015.  Read the full statement

Scottish Government seek views on new litter and fly-tipping strategy.  Read the full statement

Protecting Scotland’s wild Atlantic salmon is a ‘national priority’, said SEPA – Scotland’s environmental watchdog today (3rd December 2021), launching a consultation on proposed wild salmon protection zones and a sea lice exposure threshold that applies in these zones.  Read the full statement

A leading UK and European recycling company was fined £20,000 at Airdrie Sheriff Court today (16 November 2021) after Scotland’s environmental regulator uncovered the largest single illegal export of household waste from Scotland.  Read the full statement

A pioneering environmental recovery project that will turn the Forth Valley into a living laboratory is being launched to an international audience today [November 9] at global climate summit COP26.  Read the full statement

The Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Màiri McAllan MSP, today announced the appointment of Nicky Chambers and Dr Vinay Mulgundmath as Members of the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.  Read the full statement

The latest Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Report (RIFE 26) has been published today (4 November) and shows that levels and concentrations of man-made radioactivity measured in the environment during 2020 were well within international dose limits.  Read the full statement

Waste carriers and brokers looking to renew their registrations and stay compliant, can now access a simple, quick and secure online service launched by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the country’s environmental regulator.  Read the full statement

The December 2020 cyber-attack against the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ‘displayed significant stealth and malicious sophistication’ according to a series of independent audits published today (27 October 2021) by Scotland’s environmental watchdog.  Read the full statement

Four Scottish companies from sectors as diverse as construction and horticulture have scooped Outstanding Achievement Awards in recognition of their commitment to tackling environmental impacts and reducing carbon emissions.  Read the full statement

Tennent’s and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have today announced the signing of a new Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA), which sets out a joint vision for how the producers of Scotland’s favourite beer can help lead the way in encouraging the country’s drinks industry into a more sustainable space through new ways of working.  Read the full statement

People across Scotland are being asked to use water efficiently this autumn to help maintain normal supplies following a record dry period and low reservoir levels.  Read the full statement

Waste carriers and brokers are to benefit from a faster streamlined online registration service launched by Scottish environmental regulator SEPA.  Read the full statement

Homeowners with existing septic tanks are to benefit from a faster streamlined registration service launched by environmental regulator SEPA.  Read the full statement

East Renfrewshire Council plans to transform derelict space in Barrhead thanks to an investment of over £1m from the Scottish Government.  Read the full statement

Ground-breaking net zero regulatory projects supported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have received a significant funding boost.  Read the full statement

The dedication and drive of companies in Scotland at the forefront of tackling environmental change has today been recognised by the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.  Read the full statement

Jenny Gilruth, Minister for Culture, Europe, and International Development visited Levenmouth on Tuesday 14 September to meet representatives from the Fife ‘Climate Beacon’ and celebrate their work as part of Scotland’s Climate Week 2021.  Read the full statement

Work is set to start on a new fish pass at Mid Calder Weir. The £670,000 project will see the current large weir altered to help the free passage of migratory fish species up the Almond. The work is part of the RiverLife: Almond & Avon - Almond Barriers Project, which aims to improve the ecological condition of the river.  Read the full statement

Sacha Dench swooped into Levenmouth – home of The Leven Programme – this week on an electric paramotor as part of her Round Britain Climate Challenge as she attempts to secure a Guinness World Record for the greatest distance flown by electric paramotor in a 30-day period whilst sparking discussions about climate action.  Read the full statement

Members of the public are being invited to find out more and have their say on the future of monitoring at the Mossmorran complex in Fife, through a series of online events to be hosted by Scotland’s environmental watchdog, SEPA.  Read the full statement

SEPA is introducing new flood hazard mapping which will provide a clearer indication of surface water (also known as pluvial) flood risk now and in future. This will enable people, communities and businesses to better understand the risks and act to reduce the impact of surface water flooding.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that a new trend appears to be establishing in Scotland, as a total of seven abandoned trailers full of waste have been discovered in the central belt in recent months. Investigations to establish the source of the trailers are ongoing - which could lead to the prosecution of those responsible.  Read the full statement

SEPA is working closely with businesses and individuals abstracting water to find alternative sources and protect the environment in areas affected by significant water scarcity, including in Galloway where local farmers say the drought is the “most severe witnessed in a generation”.  Read the full statement

SEPA has launched the joint consultation with local authorities, to help shape the direction and delivery of flood risk management across Scotland. Actions to help tackle flooding in areas identified as being at the greatest risk are detailed in the consultation, alongside information on where we can gain the most benefits from taking action. The consultation launches on 30 July and members of the public and businesses have until 31 October to comment on it.  Read the full statement

The latest weekly Water Scarcity Situation Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows that, despite heavy rainfall and thundery showers across much of mainland Scotland this week, the majority of the country is still seeing the impacts of water scarcity.  Read the full statement

The latest weekly Water Scarcity Situation Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows that, despite heavy rainfall and thundery showers across much of mainland Scotland this week, areas of the South of Scotland and elsewhere are still feeling the impacts of water scarcity.  Read the full statement

Launched by Global Footprint Network, the Scottish EPA, and Schneider Electric, 100 Days of Possibility highlights actionable ways for each country, city, or business to ready themselves for the consequences of overshoot. These responses also #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day.  Read the full statement

  Read the full statement

  Read the full statement

Businesses and individuals abstracting water are being warned that action is needed now to protect water resources.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s environmental regulator has formed a three-year partnership with one of the largest family-owned construction, housing, infrastructure and support services businesses in the UK to support green recovery and help transform the construction of public and private sector projects across the country.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning of an increasing water scarcity situation across the country with Northwest Scotland, Clyde, Ayrshire, Orkney and the Western Isles moving to Alert level. Most of the rest of the country is moving to the Early Warning tier, with Irvine and Ayr raised to Moderate Scarcity level.  Read the full statement

Six months after a ‘serious and significant’ cyber-attack left Scotland’s environmental regulator locked out of its systems, the agency and its staff are building back better, having made substantial progress so the organisation can continue to protect Scotland’s environment and ensure businesses and communities are impacted as little as possible.  Read the full statement

An exciting programme of improvements to green spaces is underway along the Lyne Burn in Dunfermline.  Read the full statement

New landmark report by Zero Waste Scotland reveals the true size of Scotland’s raw material consumption footprint and calls for action to reduce it.  Read the full statement

Work to reduce the impacts of flaring from the Fife Ethylene Plant reaches an important milestone this week as ExxonMobil Chemical Limited begins the process of restarting its plant following the installation of a low-noise elevated flare tip, as required by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Leaders with ambition to help Scotland achieve net zero and address the climate and biodiversity emergencies have an important window of opportunity to shape the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The agency, which is changing to meet the challenges of tomorrow, is seeking applications for two new members of its agency board.  Read the full statement

Concealed, after being culverted through Sandyhills Park in the 1950's - work is now complete to uncover a section of Tollcross Burn and restore it to its original route as part of a major Glasgow City Deal project to reduce flood risk and build climate resilience.  Read the full statement

SEPA is monitoring air quality levels around two Montrose schools and educating pupils about air pollution through SEPA’s ‘Learn About Air’ educational initiative as part of Clean Air Day 2021.  Read the full statement

The VIBES Awards are calling on businesses across the country to play their part in supporting Scotland to meet its target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is encouraging farmers and land managers to play their part in improving water quality at Ayr South, one of Scotland’s busiest bathing beaches.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is collaborating with partners to clean up the water at one of Scotland’s busiest bathing waters, Ayr (South Beach) ahead of a unique ‘staycation’ summer.  Read the full statement

The modest gains from the pandemic-induced resource-use reductions were short-lived, highlighting the urgency of driving an economic recovery where all can thrive within the means of the Earth. Earth Overshoot Day 2021 lands on July 29, Councillor Susan Aitken, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, announced today on behalf of Global Footprint Network and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

A Fife regeneration initiative aiming to improve the local environment and encourage social and economic opportunities along the River Leven catchment has been awarded ‘Climate Beacon’ status by Creative Carbon Scotland to mark the year of COP26.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s bathing water season officially begins today (1 June) in what is shaping up to be a busy year for the country’s beautiful beaches.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s environmental regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), is reminding Scottish business that compliance with Scotland’s environmental laws is non-negotiable, as an investigation it led has this week resulted in a prosecution and fine for an operator following a water pollution incident in Fife.  Read the full statement

SEPA has been clear in requirements that remediation “will be done once, and it will be done right – providing a permanent and positive resolution”.  Read the full statement

Scientists are developing a coronavirus early warning system that could prevent future lockdowns by combining data on vaccine uptake with wastewater testing.  Read the full statement

A “clear route to restoration” is in sight for Tarbolton landfill in South Ayrshire, as the first phase of a longer-term plan involving public partners for remediation of the site has received funding from Scottish Government.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s pioneering project to monitor Covid-19 by measuring its genetic footprint in waste water will continue for another year after an additional £2.3 million of funding announced by the Scottish Government this week.  Read the full statement

Irish Environmental Protection Agency Best Practice Review will lead to community participation in design of monitoring network, enhanced visibility of compliance & monitoring reports & new online regulatory hub.  Read the full statement

Historic mine workings have been confirmed as the contamination source that caused water discolouration in two burns near St Andrews.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service (SFFS) is today (Tuesday 9 March) marking a decade of supporting the nation’s preparedness and response to flooding.  Read the full statement

Members of the public can access river level data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for the first time since the cyber-attack on 24 December.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is warning of a new trend in waste crime after two abandoned trailers full of waste appeared in the central belt in recent weeks. Investigations are being undertaken by SEPA to establish the source of the trailers which could lead to the prosecution of those responsible.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the third in a series of weekly service status updates in response to the Christmas Eve cyber-attack which continues to significantly impact the agency’s internal systems and services.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the first in a series of weekly service status updates in response to the Christmas Eve cyber-attack which continues to significantly impact the agency’s internal systems and services.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) today (21 January 2021) provided a further update on the ongoing ransomware cyber-attack which has significantly impacted the organisation since Christmas Eve.  The organisation reiterated that it will not engage with criminals intent on disrupting public services and extorting public funds.  Read the full statement

On Christmas Eve, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed that it was responding to a significant cyber attack involving complex and sophisticated criminality.  We confirmed the attack was affecting our contact centre, internal systems, processes and internal communications.  Read the full statement