Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: equalities impact assessment

Equalities Impact Assessment

Title of proposal: Cleaner Air for Scotland 2

The Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 (CAFS 2) consultation proposes a set of actions to further reduce air pollution and improve air quality for Scotland's population and the environment.

This Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) is published in conjunction with the CAFS 2 consultation (https://consult.gov.scot/environmental-quality/cleaner-air-for-scotland-2) which runs until 22 January 2021. Responses to the consultation will help inform the development of CAFS 2 and this impact assessment.

Where required subsequent secondary legislation will be used to deliver the commitments detailed in CAFS 2. Secondary legislation will be subject to further impact assessments including a full EQIA and consultation.

The Scottish Government is mindful of the three needs of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) - eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not, and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not - and recognises while the measures in CAFS 2 may positively impact on one or more of the protected characteristics, also recognises that the introduction of the measures may have a disproportionate negative impact on one or more of the protected characteristics.

Where any negative impacts have been identified, we have sought to mitigate/eliminate these. We are also mindful that the equality duty is not just about negating or mitigating negative impacts, as we also have a positive duty to promote equality. We have sought to do this through provisions contained in the Regulations, or by current support and guidance available.