Environmental assessment
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Offshore Wind Sustained Observation Programme (OW-SOP): scoping report
Physical processes are important as they influence the productivity of the phytoplankton which form the base of the entire North Sea ecosystem. This project recommends approaches to assess the potential impact of offshore wind farms on physical processes.
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Marine mammals: methodology for combining data
This report introduces a method for integrating digital aerial survey data and passive acoustic baseline data to record the abundance and distribution of marine mammals. The report applies the method in a test case study and provides recommendations on data collection.
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Seabirds: strategic ornithological compensatory measures: review
A review of potential strategic ornithological compensatory measures, assessing their practical and ecological feasibility in the Scottish context
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Packaging - extended producer responsibility: full business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA)
Final business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the reform of the packaging producer responsibility regulations, which follows previously published partial BRIAs.
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Adapting the IPCOD Framework for Harbour Porpoises to Utilise a Dynamic Energy Budget Model in Modelling the Effects of Disturbance
This report outlines work taken to update the Interim Population Consequences of Disturbance framework (iPCoD) model to improve understanding of the effect of renewable energy installations on harbour porpoises.
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Conservation of Atlantic salmon - gene banking: principles and considerations
This report examines the procedures, considerations, risks and opportunities of gene banking for Atlantic salmon conservation and restoration in Scotland. Presented is a brief overview of live gene banking and a detailed focus on cryobanking to preserve gametic material through freezing and storage.
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National Islands Plan: Implementation Route Map 2024
Details how we will deliver our priorities over the lifetime of the National Islands Plan. It identifies the methods to monitor progress towards fulfilling the many commitments in the Plan and sets out timescales for delivery of our work.
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Masterplan Consent Area Regulations: consultation responses summary
Summary of the responses to the Masterplan Consent Area Regulations consultation.
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Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland 2023: SG response
Scottish Government's response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 'Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland' report, as published in March 2024.
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Scotland's Land Use Strategy Annual Progress Report – 2023/2024
Fifth annual progress report on Scotland's land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It covers the period of March 2023 to March 2024.
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National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report: Consultation Analysis
Analysis of responses to the consultation on the proposed scope and level of detail for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2).
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Scotland's Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 : Analysis of consultation responses
Analysis of responses to the 2024 consultation on Scotland's Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030. The Route Map sets out strategic direction and actions for delivering more sustainable use of our resources and our vision for Scotland’s circular economy to 2030.
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Planning and climate change guidance: research report issue 3
Research comprising a desk-based study and stakeholder engagement with developers and decision-makers to develop understanding of the approaches currently being used to both assess and minimise lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of development proposals. This research is to inform National Planning Framework 4.
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Litter and flytipping offences - enforcement review: final report
We commissioned this research report in 2022 and it was completed by Anthesis in autumn 2023. This project aimed to review the current enforcement model in Scotland and offer recommendations to strengthen that enforcement.
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Assessing distribution of Didemnum vexillum in Scotland using environmental DNA
This study explores use of environmental DNA (eDNA), DNA shed into water or sediment by organisms inhabiting marine environment, to assess the distribution of Didemnum vexillum in the Firth of Clyde, Loch Creran, and the wider Lynn of Lorn areas.
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Prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes Full Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment
Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for the proposed prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.
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Prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes: Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) Stage 2
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) Stage 2 for the proposed prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.
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Prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes: Island Communities Impact Screening Assessment
Island Communities Impact Screening Assessment (ICIA) for the proposed prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.
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Prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes: Fairer Scotland Duty Summary
Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSDA) summary for the proposed prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.
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Prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes: Equality Impact Assessment – Results
Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) results for the proposed prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.
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Scottish procurement policy handbook
This handbook provides guidance on the rules and policies that apply to the procurement activities of public bodies in Scotland and highlights some key legal obligations.
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Aithris Bhliadhnail air Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean 2023
Gaelic version of the National Islands Plan annual report 2023
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National Islands Plan: annual report 2023
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2023 reporting year.
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Heat Networks Delivery Plan: review report 2024
The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 requires that the Heat Networks Delivery Plan (HNDP) is reviewed every two years, and that Scottish Ministers prepare a report of our progress towards meeting the provisions of the Act and other supporting policies. This report fulfils the requirement to review and report on the HNDP.
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Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 - Marine Conservation Order provision changes: environmental report
This environmental report was produced as part of the strategic environmental assessment accompanying our consultation on facilitating marine nature restoration through legislation.
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Environmental Impact Assessment regime and Habitats Regulations - enabling powers: consultation
Consultation on proposed powers to better allow future amendments to Scotland’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regimes and Habitats Regulations.
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Accessing Scotland's geothermal resource: regulatory guidance
Guidance prepared with key stakeholders outlining the regulatory framework for exploring and exploiting Scotland's geothermal resource.
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CO2 mine gas - site investigation and risk assessment: best practice
Report collating current practice in local authorities and provide a summary assessment of options to deliver a standardised ‘good practice’ approach to risk assessment, reporting, mitigation and verification of mitigation measures for mine gas.
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Air quality: key behaviours report
Report commissioned to identify key public behaviours that have the most impact on improving air quality, and to support future public engagement work. The report focuses on the actions households and the general public can take to support improving outdoor air quality.
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Scotland's International Strategy
This strategy sets out our approach to international engagement and delivery to the end of the current parliamentary term.
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Geàrr-iomradh air a' Phlana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government. This is a Gaelic summary of the Plan.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation - easy read
Easy read version of our consultation on the national Good Food Nation Plan, which sets out the Government's goals for food and how we will achieve them.
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National Good Food Nation Plan
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes for a Good Food Nation; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of a wide range of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation
We are consulting on the first national Good Food Nation Plan. We are seeking views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes, ways of measuring progress and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions.
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Circular economy and waste route map to 2030: consultation
The route map sets out strategic direction for delivering our system-wide, comprehensive vision Scotland’s circular economy from now to 2030. Building on a first consultation (2022), we are consulting on key priority actions that will unlock progress across the waste hierarchy.
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Circular economy and waste route map to 2030: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report
Environmental report relating to our consultation on key priority actions that will unlock progress across the waste hierarchy.
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Infrastructure investment plan 2021-2022 to 2025-2026: carbon assessment
This assessment draws on a range of evidence, including results from a taxonomy assessment, to carbon assess the 2021 Infrastructure Investment Plan.
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Ro-innleachd airson Saidheans Mara is Ùrghnàthachadh
’S e seo an Ro-innleachd ùr airson Saidheans Mara is Ùr-ghnàthachadh aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Tha i a’ cur amasan an cèill airson saidheans mara agus ùr-ghnàthachadh ann an Alba agus a’ stèidheachadh sia builean gus barrachd bhuannachdan fhaighinn bho ar n-obair saidheans, fianais agus dàta.
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Marine science and innovation strategy
Establishes the vision for marine science and innovation in Scotland and six outcomes to strengthen the impact of marine science, evidence and data.
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Managing deer for climate and nature: consultation
We are consulting on proposals to modernise the legislation which governs deer management in Scotland and ensure it is fit for purpose in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises, alongside a small number of proposals concerned with farmed and kept deer.
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Scottish Household Survey 2022: Key Findings
Selected findings from the 2022 Scottish Household Survey, organised by topic area.
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Automated video identification of marine species (AVIMS) - new application: report
A commissioned report on the development of a web-based computer application for machine learning-based (semi-)automated analysis of underwater video footage obtained during the monitoring of aquatic environments.
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Marine piling - energy conversion factors in underwater radiated sound: review
A report which investigates the Energy Conversion Factor (ECF) method and provides recommendations regarding the modelling approaches for impact piling as used in environmental impact assessments (EIA) in Scottish Waters.
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Offshore wind - birds on migration in Scottish waters: strategic review
A report detailing the migratory routes of bird species around the UK and Ireland which have the potential to be impacted by offshore wind developments. This forms part of the strategic study of collision risk for birds on migration and further development of the stochastic collision risk modelling tool work package one.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Agricultural Tenancies proposals Environmental Report
SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed plans, strategies, or programmes. This Report accompanies the Agricultural Tenancies proposals, within the Land Reform Bill.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Small Landholdings and Land Use Tenancy Proposals Environmental Report
SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed plans, strategies, or programmes. This Report accompanies the Small Landholding and Land Use Tenancy proposals, within the Land Reform Bill.
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Understanding seabird behaviour at sea part 2: improved estimates of collision risk model parameters
Report detailing research using GPS tags to track Scottish seabirds at sea.
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Offshore wind energy - sectoral marine plan: seabird tagging feasibility
How to undertake a seabird tagging study for species and colonies potentially impacted by the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy
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Agricultural tenancies, small landholdings and land use tenancy proposals: strategic environmental assessment - consultation
This consultation provides you with the opportunity to examine the environmental impact of our proposed changes to agricultural tenancies, small landholdings, and the new land use tenancy.
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New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework
Information on the nomination process for the New National Park(s) project, including links to all key documents for nominating groups.
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Out to Play - caring for our outdoor spaces
Guidance to make the most of the outdoor spaces your early learning and childcare settings use and caring for the environment through embedding Learning for Sustainability. This guidance supports practitioners to provide high quality outdoor play experiences.
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National Marine Plan 2 - strategic environmental assessment: scoping report
Sets out the proposed scope and level of detail for the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2), along with a description of the proposed assessment methodology.
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Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report
This environmental report is part of the strategic environmental assessment for the future of National Parks in Scotland.
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Non-methane volatile organic compound emissions from malt whisky maturation: final report
Review of the human health and environmental impacts of non-methane volatile organic compound emissions from malt whisky maturation facilities prepared for the Scottish Government by Aether.
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Environment - guiding principles: statutory guidance
This guidance provides information on how officials across government should apply the environmental principles when developing policy.
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Environment - guiding principles consultation: statutory guidance – Parliamentary statement and analysis report
As required by section 18(4) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 the Scottish Government has provided a parliamentary statement and an analysis report on the consultation on Scotland’s Guiding Principles on the Environment: Statutory Guidance.
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National Litter and Flytipping strategy: island communities impact assessment
Summary of the island communities impact assessment (ICIA) undertaken for the National Litter and Flytipping strategy.
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National Islands Plan review: consultation
We are consulting on a review of the National Islands Plan, published in 2019. This review is required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. We are seeking views on the impact and content of the current National Islands Plan.
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Just transition for the built environment and construction sector: a discussion paper
This discussion paper is intended to support engagement on a just transition for the built environment and construction sector. Building on this engagement, a draft targeted action plan and route map (late 23/24) will outline the key steps to delivering a fair transition for the sector.
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Scottish Natural Capital Accounts: 2023
This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.
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Developing essential fish habitat maps: report
The project helped define areas of the sea essential to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. Twenty-nine species and multiple life-stages were reviewed covering marine fish and shellfish of commercial and ecological importance, relevant to offshore wind development areas.
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New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation
We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations in Scotland. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks.
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New National Parks - nomination process and draft appraisal framework: consultation
We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks in Scotland.
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Emamectin benzoate (EmBz) - environmental quality standard (EQS) - implementation: consultation
Sets out our directions to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on the application of a new environmental quality standard (EQS) for Emamectin benzoate (EmBz). We are seeking views on the timescale SEPA should implement to apply the new EQS reducing the discharge limits for these farms.
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National Planning Framework 4: integrated impact assessment post adoption statement
Post Adoption Statement setting out how the findings of the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and consultation responses informed the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) as adopted.
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National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.
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Environment Strategy for Scotland: second progress report
The second annual report to Parliament on progress in developing the Environment Strategy for Scotland, as required under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.
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Local air quality management: policy guidance
Guidance for local authorities to take account of Environmental Standards Scotland's recommendations to strengthen the local air quality management regime. This has been superseded by updated guidance published in May 2024.
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Environmental Standards Scotland air quality investigation - Scottish Government improvement plan
This improvement plan sets out the Scottish Government’s response to the six key recommendations made by Environmental Standards Scotland following its investigation into air quality.
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National Events Strategy Review: Easy Read version
Easy Read version of consultation to help shape the review of Scotland's National Events Strategy.
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National events strategy review: consultation - Gaelic version
Gaelic version of consultation to help shape the review of Scotland's national events strategy.
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National events strategy review: consultation
Scotland's National events strategy is being reviewed and updated. This will extend its term to the end of 2035. This survey provides everyone with a role in Scotland’s world-class event industry the chance to shape the sector’s updated strategy.
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National events strategy review: business and regulatory impact assessment - partial
Partial business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the consultation to help shape the review of Scotland's national events strategy.
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Priority marine feature surveys within the Small Isles MPA and surrounding waters
Marine Scotland collected and analysed abundance information for species with conservation importance relevant to priority marine features in the Small Isles MPA and the surrounding region (2012 – 2017). Abundance changes for key species and the relationship with fishing activity was assessed.
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Scotland's Blue Economy: current status review
Describes our starting position in the transition to adopting a Blue Economy approach to marine sectors, communities, and the environment. It provides us with the foundation to consider how we can track our progress and determine if significant and lasting change is occurring.
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Ending the sale of peat: consultation
We are consulting on ending the sale of peat in Scotland. Responses to this consultation will inform plans and timescales for moving away from using peat products in order to protect peatlands from further damage. Their protection and restoration form important components of our Climate Change Plan.
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National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) 2021: analysis
The National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) is a statistical survey design that ensures collection of unbiased data on the density and status of salmon and the pressures that affect them, including water quality and genetic introgression. This report presents the latest analysis.
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Scottish Civil Estate: efficiency and sustainability report 2019 to 2020
Scottish Ministers are required to lay before the Scottish Parliament this annual report which uses key performance indicators to assess progress in improving the efficiency and sustainability of the Scottish Civil Estate.
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Scottish Natural Capital Accounts 2022
This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.
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Environment, natural resources and agriculture research - draft strategy: consultation
Consultation on a draft strategy for the next cycle of research on the environment, natural resources and agriculture which starts in 2022.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment: integrating an ecosystems approach
Information note providing advice on how an ecosystems approach can be integrated into Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
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Strategic Environmental Assessment: screening template
Form and guidance for undertaking and submitting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
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Strategic Environmental Assessment: pre-screening template
Form and guidance for pre-screening for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
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Habitats Regulations Appraisal databank: guidance
Guidance notes for users of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) databank.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment: guidance
Scottish Government guidance on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
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Habitats Regulations Appraisal - development plans: advice sheets
Guidance on HRA and development plans.
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Environmental impact assessment regulations: a guide
A user's guide to the environmental impact assessment regulations.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment: basic introduction
A basic introduction to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
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