Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: progress report 2022-2023

Annex B: completed ongoing actions

28 actions are completed ongoing. We will continue to deliver these actions to ensure they are embedded in our current and future action to improve air quality. Updates for completed ongoing actions are provided in the table below. Each action in CAFS2 has been assigned a short (to 2022), medium (to 2024) or longer term (to 2026) timeframe for delivery within the Delivery Plan.

Topic and timeframe

Integrated policy (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will ensure that actions in the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan deliver co-benefits for air quality.

Update

In December 2020 an update to Scotland's 2018-2032 Climate Change Plan was published. The Plan has a number of actions which will deliver co-benefits for air quality, such as a commitment to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030. The next full Climate Change Plan will be published in November 2023. As the plan is developed, the wider costs and benefits of policies and proposals are being considered and an assessment of these will be included in the document. Maintaining and improving air quality will be a key consideration.

Topic and timeframe

Placemaking (medium term action)

CAFS2 Action

Local authorities with support from the Scottish Government will assess how effectively air quality is embedded in plans, policies, City Deals and other initiatives, and more generally in cross departmental working, identifying and addressing evidence, skills, awareness and operational gaps.

Update

Local authorities are required to submit air quality Annual Progress Reports (APRs) to the Scottish Government and SEPA in June each year. The APR template was updated in 2022 to require local authorities to submit information on embeddedness of air quality policies within their wider plans.

This information was reviewed by SEPA as part of the APR appraisal process in 2022 and next steps for future assessments were identified. SEPA will continue this review on an annual basis and will work with local authorities and the Placemaking Working Group to address any gaps or issues identified through this process.

Topic and timeframe

Placemaking (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will work with local authorities who wish to develop a targeted approach where appropriate for utilising the Place Standard tool with an air-quality focus.

Update

The Place Standard with an air quality lens is available for use at the ourplace website alongside the other tools – including the new Place Standard with a climate lens, which further supports a holistic place-based approach for considering air quality alongside climate and other aspects of place. The Place Standard Implementation Group promote it alongside the other tools and provide support to any potential users via the ourplace website, the Place Standard Leads network, and the Place and Wellbeing Alliance.

Topic and timeframe

Placemaking (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will continue to promote the use and role of the Place Standard tool(s) in place-based approaches, enabling delivery of air quality improvement as a co-benefit of delivering high quality sustainable places that support health & wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Update

Scottish Government funds Architecture and Design Scotland to deliver Climate Action Towns and also supports the Shaping Places for Wellbeing Programme - both with the Place Standard tool integral to delivery and a strong focus on environment, climate action and including air quality in the delivery of high quality sustainable places that support health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. The use of the Place Standard tool was also promoted at the Scottish Air Quality Database seminar in March 2023.

Topic and timeframe

Data (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

The Scottish Government with support from SEPA will commission a review of air quality data collection and reporting in Scotland. The review will identify any notable gaps in data provision, with recommendations on how to fill these. The review will also provide recommendations on how current air quality data and methodologies can be more effectively integrated with other datasets, particularly those relating to transport, human health, environmental quality and spatial planning.

Update

SEPA continue to review the air quality monitoring network locally and nationally as part the APR appraisal process, and will work with local authorities and the Scottish Government to ensure the monitoring network remains fit for purpose. In March 2023 SEPA reviewed the LAQM technical guidance and concluded that guidance regarding the siting of monitoring equipment remains fit for purpose.

In addition, section three of the republished LAQM policy guidance has updated criteria for local authorities to follow when considering monitoring and data and requires local authorities to contact SEPA to discuss suitability of new or changes to monitoring locations.

Air quality monitoring sites within Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh have also been reviewed as part of the LEZ implementation process, leading to the relocation of some automatic monitors in Edinburgh and the addition of new diffusion tube monitoring sites in Aberdeen.

Scottish Government and SEPA will continue to review how current air quality data and methodologies can be more effectively integrated with other datasets and take any recommendations forward as part of the review of CAFS2 and development of CAFS3.

Topic and timeframe

Data (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will establish a comprehensive network of cutting-edge remote sensing air quality monitors on local and trunk roads in the early 2020s.

Update

Remote sensing has been carried out in the four LEZ cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen over 2021 and 2022 to provide accurate data on exhaust emissions in real world driving conditions, with initial findings published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

Topic and timeframe

Data (medium term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Government will work together to develop a central data storage for traffic data to support the development and use of SEPA’s National Modelling Framework (NMF) (and UK AERIUS).

Update

The Improvement Service set up traffic data pages on the Spatial Hub in 2021. SEPA, Transport Scotland and the Improvement Service are encouraging local authorities to upload their existing and new traffic data.

Topic and timeframe

Data (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government with support from SEPA, Transport Scotland and Health Protection Scotland will explore options for transport, air quality and health data-sharing between relevant public bodies.

Update

We have established five specialist Working Groups to support the delivery of CAFS2 actions and to encourage collaborative working. We will continue to work collectively with stakeholders through the Working Groups, sharing information and data amongst members.

Topic and timeframe

Behaviour change (medium term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will actively link with other agencies and organisations that are not air quality specific, but which deliver programmes having co-benefits for air quality improvements and behavioural change, such as Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and Living Streets.

Update

The CAFS2 Public Engagement Working Group includes member organisations which are not air quality specific, but which deliver programmes having co-benefits for air quality improvements and behavioural change. We will continue to work collectively with stakeholders through the Working Groups.

In addition, during 2022 SEPA and Glasgow Science Centre developed an online Learning Lab “Our Amazing Air” which is a STEM learning programme for the classroom and is currently running its second session in 2023. A learning programme for P5 – P7 pupils supporting learners to investigate what air is and why it is so important for us, what air pollution is and how we monitor it, how air quality can be improved and some of the steps we all can take to have a positive impact on air quality and the environment.

The programme includes a variety of materials and support for teachers including an online teacher training session, classroom activities, and teaching materials delivered over a dedicated six week learning block of two hourly sessions per week, complementing the Curriculum for Excellence outcomes. The pupils also get the opportunity for a live meet the expert Q & A session and a visit to the Science Centre. The programme is available for every primary school in Scotland.

Topic and timeframe

Behaviour change (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will continue to support Clean Air Day and other activities promoting raising awareness of air pollution.

Update

We are working with stakeholders to develop a public engagement framework for air quality with a view to publish the framework in 2024. This will help inform our future public engagement work for air quality, including Clean Air Day. We provided funding for Clean Air Day in 2023.

Topic and timeframe

Tackling non transport emissions (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will work with business and industry to support and further develop educational schemes such as Woodsure and Ready to Burn, including manufacturers, suppliers and users of both fuels and appliances.

Update

We are engaging with industry and wider stakeholders through the CAFS2 Domestic Emissions Working Group which has been established with representatives from the stove and solid fuel sectors as well as SEPA, local authorities and academics. We will continue to engage with industry and wider stakeholders on educational and awareness raising schemes, building these into our public engagement framework for air quality.

Topic and timeframe

Tackling non transport emissions (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Scottish Government will work with farmers through farmer-led groups, supported by scientific and economic expertise to co-develop new ways of working to better contribute towards delivering Scotland’s climate change and environmental outcomes

Update

We are continuing to work with the agriculture industry both through the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board and other industry stakeholder groups such as the Agriculture and Rural Development Group to deliver the Agriculture Reform Programme. Through this, the National Test Programme will support and encourage farmers and crofters to play their part in sustainable and regenerative agriculture and learn about how their work impacts on climate and nature. The first track of the National Test Programme ‘Preparing for Sustainable Farming’ provided funding to conduct Carbon Audits and Soil Sampling to help farmers and crofters future proof their farms, to create environmental and economically resilient businesses and to start to prepare now for future conditionality. Alongside this ‘Testing Actions for Sustainable Farming’ will design, test, improve and standardise the tools, support and process necessary to reward farmers, crofters and land managers for the climate and biodiversity outcomes they deliver. The next phase will examine potential future Support Framework measures that best address climate mitigation, adaption and nature restoration, with priority on sectors with the highest emissions, including livestock production. Through the Agriculture Reform Programme we have published our Vision for Agriculture, a Route Map with a clear timeline for change, a draft list of measures, and consulted on proposals for a new Agriculture Bill.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will provide financial support to businesses and individuals most affected by the implementation of LEZs through schemes such as the LEZ Support Fund and Scottish Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Fund.

Update

The LEZ Support Fund provides grant funding for lower income households and smaller businesses for disposing of non-LEZ compliant vehicles since Sept 2020. Over 2,500 vehicles have been disposed of since inception.

Bus and Coach operators have been able to bid for funding towards the costs of retrofitting their vehicles to LEZ entry standards. Over 1200 buses and coaches have been awarded funding for retrofitting.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Local authorities working with Transport Scotland and SEPA will look at opportunities to promote zero-carbon city centres within the existing LEZ structure.

Update

SEPA has developed a carbon emissions tool for regional traffic emissions based on miles travelled to help promote zero-carbon city centres. SEPA has shared the regional traffic emissions tool with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, Transport Scotland and local authorities within the LEZ Consistency Group, and will promote the use of the tool within local authority strategic transport strategies and wider within Strategic Environmental Assessments.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will support fleet renewal toward the purchase of new ultra-low and zero emission buses in tandem with preparing/retrofitting the applicable existing mid-life bus and coach fleet for LEZ compliance (BEAR fund). Scottish Government will continue to support battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses through subsidy schemes, investing £120 million over 5 years from 2021/22.

Update

To date, Transport Scotland has provided funding which has resulted in over 1200 buses/coaches being retrofitted to Euro VI emission standard for LEZ compliance. Transport Scotland is also offering up to £58 million through the final phase of the ScotZEB Challenge Fund to deliver transformational, collaborative change in the bus market to deliver a zero-emission future in the bus, coach, and community transport sectors.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will work with local authorities and active travel partners to provide funding for permanent active travel infrastructure and behavioural change programmes, through grant funded programmes in line with the National Transport Strategy Sustainable Travel Hierarchy and the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy and where the projects are clearly aligned to the Active Travel Outcomes Framework.

Update

The Active Travel Budget for 2022-23 is at the record level of £150 million. This is allocated in grants direct to local authorities, or through delivery partners to fund active travel infrastructure and behaviour change schemes. All funder partner grants are aligned to the Active Travel Outcomes Framework.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will manage the Bus Partnership Fund to support local authorities to establish bus priority infrastructure and adapt the trunk road network to prioritise high occupancy vehicles.

Update

The Scottish Government remains committed to investing £500m in bus priority over the longer term to tackle the negative impacts of congestion on bus services, as announced in the 2019 Programme for Government. A cornerstone in the delivery of which is the Bus Partnership Fund (BPF). In March 2020, the BPF was paused as a result of the pandemic. The fund resumed activity in November 2020 with the first awards made in June 2021. A further round of funding was awarded in February 2022. To date up to £26m of BPF funding has been awarded to 11 Partnerships covering 28 local authorities across Scotland.

Transport Scotland will continue to work with Partnerships and stakeholders to make sure that the case for bus priority is made. It will also continue to work with Partnerships to identify risks and best practice to ensure that bus priority measures are effectively and efficiently delivered to contribute to our National Transport Strategy priorities.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will continue to support cleaner taxis through provision of LEZ support funding.

Update

The LEZ retrofit fund provides up to £10,000 per taxi towards the cost of upgrading taxis to the Euro 6 standard. LEZ support funding has enabled over 280 taxis to be retrofitted to Euro 6 emissions standard.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will engage extensively on future financing and delivery models to support growth in the public electric vehicle charging, including ChargePlace Scotland.

Update

All 32 local authorities are continuing to work on electric vehicle infrastructure strategies and expansion plans, which will support subsequent development of business cases to be submitted to the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund through financial year 2023/24. Transport Scotland and Scottish Futures Trust continue to engage with the private sector, including gathering information on the ongoing and planned private sector investment in electric vehicle infrastructure.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland working with Scottish Procurement and Scottish Futures Trust will work across the public sector to accelerate the decarbonisation of vehicle fleets by establishing innovative ways to invest in zero emission vehicles at scale across the public sector, whilst maximising opportunities to leverage commercial investment through aggregated demand for new products, vehicles and infrastructure.

Update

Transport Scotland, Scottish Procurement and Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have explored options to enable and accelerate decarbonisation of the public sector fleet. SFT has published a report on options to lever private sector investment in public sector fleets. Following publication of the SFT report on alternative financing in 2022 and in addition to the NHS Fleet Pathfinder Project, two local authority pathfinder projects have also been approved to explore opportunities for improved collaboration across the public and private sector fleet, sharing access to charging infrastructure, attracting private sector investment and reducing the reliance on public sector funding to expand zero emission fleets and access to associated infrastructure.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will continue to support the uptake of zero emission vehicles by supporting local authorities to bring forward innovative projects to incentivise battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, including through the Switched on Towns and Cities programme and the Scottish Cities Alliance.

Update

Transport Scotland continues to work with local authorities and support development of collaborative approaches in fleet procurement. During COP 26, Glasgow City Council opened Scotland’s first commercial electric vehicle charging hub, supported by Switched on Towns and Cities and intended to support public and private sector fleets.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (medium term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will deliver a vehicle disposal programme in Scotland that is founded on the principle of emissions reduction.

Update

The LEZ Support Fund provides grant funding for lower income households and smaller businesses for disposing of non-LEZ compliant vehicles. Since Sept 2020 over 2,500 vehicles have been offered grants for disposal.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will work collaboratively with partners to deliver our Active Travel vision of enabling walking, cycling and wheeling to be the most popular mode of travel for short, everyday journeys in our towns and cities.

Update

Transport Scotland continues to work closely with local authorities and partners to fund active travel projects with our budget for 2022-23 at record levels of £150 million.

Programme for Government 2021 committed to ensure that at least £320 million or 10% of the total transport budget goes on active travel by 2024‑25.

The Transformation Project is working with delivery partners in order to maximise the opportunities in active travel delivery in the short term (2022/23) and medium term (2023/24-2024/25), presented by increased budgetary commitments, for the most effective and efficient achievement of active travel outcomes.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will ensure that all trunk roads will comply with European air quality Iimit values.

Update

The European air quality Iimit values are being met on all trunk roads in Scotland. We will continue to monitor compliance.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will explore how it can reallocate road space to cycling and pedestrians following learning from COVID-19 Spaces for People programme.

Update

The Active Travel Budget for 2022-23 is at the record levels of £150 million. This is allocated in grants direct to local authorities, or through delivery partners to fund active travel infrastructure and behaviour change schemes. All funder partner grants are aligned to the Active Travel Outcomes Framework.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will ensure that the Rail Safety and Standards Board Air Quality Strategic Framework recommendations are supported and delivered where practicable in Scotland.

Update

Both Network Rail and ScotRail continue to work together on air quality initiatives on an ongoing basis as part of their Sustainable Rail Strategy, and are funded by Transport Scotland to deliver these objectives on their behalf.

Construction of the electrification infrastructure of the rail network at Glasgow - Barrhead and East Kilbride continues and it is anticipated will complete in 2024 and diesel trains will be removed from these routes and be replaced by cleaner, greener electric trains.

Topic and timeframe

Transport (long term action)

CAFS2 Action

Transport Scotland will collaborate and engage with the freight industry and retailers to explore the options for, and the associated logistics of, ‘last/first mile’ delivery approaches.

Update

Transport Scotland has published research which baselines current vehicles, journeys and greenhouse gas emissions for last mile deliveries, and is working with logistics operators to understand and address the barriers and opportunities of decarbonisation.

The use of zero emission vehicles and a broader focus on efficiency and alternatives to van delivery will positively impact air quality. The Scottish Government committed to phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel vans by 2030 in the Climate Change Plan update.

The Scottish Government promotes a focus on 20 minute neighbourhoods where people can live, work, learn and access goods and services within a small area, reducing distances travelled.

Topic and timeframe

Governance, accountability and delivery (short term action)

CAFS2 Action

The CAFS2 Delivery Group with support from Scottish Government and SEPA will produce an enhanced and strengthened annual performance report documenting progress in implementing CAFS2.

Update

In June 2022 the first CAFS2 progress report was published. Future reports will be published on an annual basis.