Scottish Budget: draft budget 2018-2019

Chapter 11: Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform

Portfolio Responsibilities

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform is charged with protecting and enhancing our natural environment and resources and also leading on action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all of Scotland.The overarching aim is to protect and value Scotland’s environment and to build a strong and sustainable low carbon economy through:

• investing in the quality and sustainable use of Scotland’s environment and natural resources;
• tackling climate change, including introducing a new Climate Change Bill to increase our ambitions in line with the Paris Accord, providing certainty and impetus to markets to shift towards low-carbon technologies and practices;
• empowering communities and improving the way that land is owned, used and managed;
• supporting clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas and freshwaters; and
• investing in the research base.

Our Priorities

Scotland has one of the world’s richest natural environments. The land, air, freshwater and seas around Scotland are national assets that must be protected and cherished.

We recognise that long term prosperity depends upon using our environment and its resources sustainably. We will protect these resources and through our climate change and circular economy programmes help Scotland move towards a more resource efficient and low carbon economy. Tackling Climate change and creating a cleaner, greener Scotland matters to the health and wellbeing of all of us and delivery is embedded across all portfolios.

Developing and managing these resources well, and ensuring a just transition to a low carbon society, is also vital to supporting a vibrant and strong economy, particularly in rural areas. Currently Scotland’s natural environment is worth more than £20 billion per annum and it supports more than 60,000 jobs but we can go further in ensuring that the whole Scottish economy values and uses these resources efficiently. Unlocking new opportunities will help provide jobs and sustain services for communities across Scotland, including marine-related and wider rural business, to help deliver sustainable inclusive growth across Scotland.

Research Analysis and Other Services priorities

In 2018-19 we will:

• support the third year of the 2016-2021 strategic research programme to deliver the Rural and Environmental, Science and Analytical Services research strategy;
• continue to seek efficiencies, impact and leverage from the research we fund; and
• continue to support the work of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Marine priorities

In 2018-19 we will:

• continue to safeguard and monitor marine and fisheries activity in Scotland’s seas, coasts, rivers and ports to ensure that national and international regulations are enforced to protect the health of fish stocks and the marine and freshwater environment;
• ensure that the development and use of the marine environment is undertaken sustainably and aligns to the delivery of the strategic objectives and general policies of the ‘National Marine Plan’ ( NMP);
• ensure a smooth devolution of the management and revenue of the Crown Estate and progressing longer-term reform;
• pilot modernised structures, in advance of planned future legislation, to enable better national and local management of wild freshwater fisheries, which will help establish the foundations for a more secure and sustainable sector;
• protect rare, threatened, declining or nationally representative species vital to the marine ecosystem through the review of priority marine features and complete the designation of 30 Marine Protected Areas;
• move forward on marine litter issue including delivering an international conference on marine litter and healthy seas; and
• support the sustainable economic growth of marine renewables, aquaculture and Scotland’s capture sea fisheries.

Environmental Services priorities

In 2018-19 we will:

• consult and work towards delivering a deposit return system to improve the recycling of plastic bottles and other drinks containers;
• take steps to develop a more resource efficient low-waste economy and deliver the ‘Making Things Last’ strategy;
• work with partners to reduce flood risk across Scotland and provide flood warning services;
• further increase our level of investment to deliver River Basin Management Plans, delivering improvements to the water environment and contributing to local economies and communities;
• deliver air quality improvements and support the delivery of Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone in 2018;
• encourage and promote the environment as a driver of health and wellbeing and sustainable economic growth through the work of Scotland’s National Parks and the Central Scotland Green Network;
• continue to implement the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, including promoting the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, finalising and laying draft regulations on a Register of Controlling Interests, and supporting community right to buy through the Scottish Land Fund;
• continue to deliver our commitments on wildlife and wildlife crime, including funding for increased police resources and an independent group to examine how we can ensure that grouse moor management is sustainable and compliant with the law; and
• Help our businesses develop new, sustainable, business models with support from our Circular Economy Investment Fund.

Climate Change priorities

In 2018-19 we will:

• introduce a new Climate Change Bill to set even more ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that we meet our obligations under the Paris Accord;
• support the delivery and achievement of the Scottish climate change targets through the implementation and monitoring of the Climate Change Plan;
• establish a Just Transition Commission to advise on adjusting to a more resource-efficient and sustainable economic model in a fair way;
• continue our international engagement on climate change at all levels, including our climate justice programmes;
• publish the fourth annual progress report on the first Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme and prepare the second Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme (due 2019);
• support and empower organisations and communities across Scotland in adapting to and delivering local solutions to climate change;
• maintain the work of the Sustainable Action Fund, which includes supporting community-led action and work to influence low carbon behaviours across Scotland; and
• continue to offer funding for Community and Renewable Energy Scheme loans and grants for rural businesses (including farmers and land managers) to help meet costs associated with the pre-planning stage of renewable energy projects and support our wider aims on local energy systems.

Scottish Water priorities

In 2018-19 we will:

• complete the £100 million Shieldhall Tunnel project, bringing environmental improvement to the River Clyde and reducing sewer flooding risk in South Glasgow;
• deliver the Ayrshire resilience scheme at over £120 million bringing a more secure, higher quality drinking water supply and supporting economic growth in the region; and
• continue to generate more renewable energy from the Scottish Water estate reducing our costs and boosting Scotland’s low carbon economy as part of the Scotland the Hydro Nation programme.

Spending Plans

Table 11.01: Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Spending Plans (Level 2)

Level 2	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Research Analysis and Other Services	67.0	64.3	65.0
Marine	45.8	52.3	52.0
Environmental Services	144.4	146.1	152.6
Climate Change	19.8	19.8	21.8
Scottish Water	(94.5)	24.5	113.5
Total Level 2	182.5	307.0	404.9
of which:
Fiscal Resource	149.0	150.9	153.4
Non-cash	13.3	13.3	11.6
Capital	20.2	142.8	239.9
Financial Transactions	-	-	-
AME	-	-	-

Table 11.02: Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Spending Plans (Level 2 Real Terms) at 2017-18 prices

Level 2	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Research Analysis and Other Services	68.0	64.3	64.1
Marine	46.5	52.3	51.2
Environmental Services	146.6	146.1	150.4
Climate Change	20.1	19.8	21.5
Scottish Water	(95.9)	24.5	111.8
Total Level 2	185.3	307.0	399.0
of which:
Fiscal Resource	151.3	150.9	151.2
Non-cash	13.5	13.3	11.4
Capital	20.5	142.8	236.4
Financial Transactions	-	-	-
AME	-	-	-

Table 11.03 Research Analysis and Other Services Spending Plans (Level 3)

Level 3	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Contract Research Fund	4.5	3.5	3.0
Economic and Other Surveys	1.4	1.4	1.4
Programmes of Research	49.8	48.1	47.7
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh	11.3	11.3	12.9
Total	67.0	64.3	65.0
of which:
Fiscal Resource	55.9	53.2	51.4
Non-cash	2.2	2.2	2.1
Capital	8.9	8.9	11.5

What the Research Analysis and Other Services budget does

The Research Analysis and Other Services budget funds a portfolio of strategic research, knowledge exchange and expert advice in support of Scottish Government policies on a wide range of rural and agricultural topics, including the natural environment, crop and livestock sciences, animal welfare, and the rural economy.

This research also provides critical insights into complex global challenges such as food security and climate change that help inform policy development. Funding from this budget helps maintain science innovation and excellence and also supports critical infrastructure and research assets, including collections of national and international importance.

Table 11.04 Marine Spending Plans (Level 3)

Level 3	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Marine Scotland	45.8	52.3	52.0
Total	45.8	52.3	52.0
of which:
Fiscal Resource	39.5	46.0	45.0
Non-cash	5.5	5.5	4.8
Capital	0.8	0.8	2.2

What the Marine budget does

The Marine budget supports the sustainable use of Scotland’s marine and freshwater environment. Marine Scotland is the primary body responsible for managing the sea and the activities which impact on it, and in it, with a responsibility for marine planning and licensing of activities in the marine environment – crucially marine renewables, sea fisheries, aquaculture, recreational fisheries and the scientific and evidence base required to support these sectors.

Table 11.05: Environmental Services Spending Plans (Level 3)

Level 3	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
National Parks	12.4	12.4	12.8
Drinking Water Quality Regulator	0.6	0.3	0.3
Natural Assets and Flooding	9.1	11.1	14.5
Natural Resources	4.2	4.0	4.1
Private Water	2.2	2.1	1.7
Land Reform	10.4	13.4	17.1
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency	36.6	35.9	35.4
Scottish Natural Heritage	48.4	46.4	46.2
Zero Waste	20.5	20.5	20.5
Total	144.4	146.1	152.6
of which:
Fiscal Resource	128.3	127.4	131.7
Non-cash	5.6	5.6	4.7
Capital	10.5	13.1	16.2

What the Environmental Services budget does

Provides funding for partners such as Zero Waste Scotland to help support the transition towards a more resource efficient economy and provision for projects such as landfill gas capture.

The budget supports actions that reduce flood risk and help deliver improvement in local environmental air quality.

Supports Scottish Natural Heritage to provide advice on Scotland’s natural environment and wildlife, to deliver Scotland’s biodiversity targets and help meet our European and international obligations, and to work closely with planning authorities and developers to ensure that new developments take proportionate account of our valuable natural heritage.

Continues funding the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to deliver better environmental regulation and to protect Scotland’s environment.

Invests in our National Park Authorities to support the delivery of the National Park Partnership Plans, and to enhance visitor experience through improved infrastructure, generate sustainable economic growth, enhance biodiversity, support thriving communities and provide leadership in balancing development and conservation in some of our most iconic landscapes.

Supports the delivery of our commitments on land reform, including implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

Supports our commitments on wildlife and wildlife crime, and funds the Central Scotland Green Network Trust and our work on Special Protection Area restoration at an opencast coal mine in East Ayrshire.

Table 11.06: Climate Change Spending Plans (Level 3)

Level 3	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Climate Change Policy	1.1	1.1	1.1
Land Managers Renewables Fund	3.0	2.0	2.0
Sustainable Action Fund	15.7	16.7	18.7
Total	19.8	19.8	21.8
of which:
Fiscal Resource	19.8	19.8	21.8
Non-cash	-	-	-
Capital	-	-	-

What the Climate Change budget does

The Climate Change budget supports the portfolio’s priorities of tackling climate change and adaptation to climate change. Significant budgets in other portfolios support the delivery of cross government policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the whole economy. The Sustainable Action Fund supports people in communities, both at home and in some of our African partner countries, to take action on climate change. In addition, the budget provides resources for the Land Managers’ Renewables Fund.

Table 11.07: Scottish Water Spending Plans (Level 3)

Level 3	2016-17 Budget £m	2017-18 Budget £m	2018-19 Draft Budget £m
Interest on Voted Loans	(100.5)	(100.5)	(100.5)
Voted Loans	-	120.0	210.0
Hydro Nation	4.0	4.0	4.0
Exemption Scheme	2.0	1.0	-
Total	(94.5)	24.5	113.5
of which:
Fiscal Resource	(94.5)	(95.5)	(96.5)
Non-cash	-	-	-
Capital	-	120.0	210.0

What the Scottish Water budget does

Scottish Water will invest up to £3.6 billion over the remainder of the current
2015-2021 regulatory period, funding projects in every part of the country – providing water and sewerage services for new housing and businesses as well as improving the environment, drinking water and customer service standards. In particular this period will see major investment in Glasgow to modernise the sewerage network and address long-standing surface water management issues. We will continue to make lending available to support this investment programme. Further, the budget will help grow Scotland’s water economy through Scottish Water International and the Hydro Nation Programme and through working with SDI to support international trade with the global water sector.