SEPA: continuing downward trajectory in greenhouse gas emissions

2021 emissions data shows continuing downward trajectory in greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions from SEPA regulated industrial sites fell by 5% between 2020 and 2021.

This continues the downward trend in greenhouse gas emissions since 2007.
Emissions figures reflect the continued impact of the pandemic on Scotland’s industries in 2021, with the economy not fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

A major accidental release of fluorinated gases by Anglo Beef Processors in Perth is being investigated by SEPA. It is the second largest accidental release in the food and drink sector in Europe.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data for 2021.

SPRI provides a valuable picture of the amount of pollutants released in Scotland from SEPA-regulated industrial sites. It is a publicly accessible electronic database and aims to provide information for policy makers, academics and the public about the pressure Scottish industry puts on the environment through greenhouse gas emissions. SPRI does not assess the compliance of the facilities or the health and environmental impact of the releases.

The latest data reveals greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5% between 2020 and 2021. This reduction continues the decreasing trend seen over the last 15 years, with an overall drop of around 62% since 2007.

2007 – 2021 greenhouse gas graph

Global warming potential of greenhouse gases reported to SPRI since 2007 (kg CO2e).

Ongoing impact of Covid-19

Around a third of the sites that report pollutant emissions to SPRI each year noted a significant difference in their 2021 data compared to 2020. This is a similar proportion to previous years.

The economy in Scotland contracted by nearly 11% in 2020, as public health restrictions and changing behaviours in response to the coronavirus pandemic suppressed activity. There were particular falls in the construction, manufacturing, and mining and quarrying industries, and the economy as a whole did not recover to pre-pandemic levels until the beginning of 2022.

Whilst a number of sites mentioned that production (and hence emissions) had increased following a downturn during the pandemic in 2020, other sites mentioned that production did not return to pre-pandemic levels during 2021.

Jo Green, acting Chief Executive of SEPA, said: “Scotland has a clear vision to become a Net Zero society, with ambitious plans for a just transition. The latest data from SEPA continues to see greenhouse gases from Scottish industry continue the long-term downward trend. These official statistics chart the progress we’ve made as a nation, but they also reflect the realism of a modern, Western European economy in transition.

“The data that SPRI holds is vital to helping us understand how changes are impacting on our environment both directly and indirectly, ensuring Scotland can identify priority areas to reduce releases and track progress.

“As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA’s firm focus remains on helping Scottish businesses innovate and continue to emerge stronger and more sustainably from the impacts of the pandemic. We’ve all got a role to play in tackling climate change and the continued reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from Scottish businesses is vital in helping our country reach net zero.”

Increase in F-gas emissions

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) are a family of chemicals that contain fluorine. They are also powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

In February 2022 SEPA identified a large accidental release of F-gases from a meat producer, Anglo Beef Processors UK, Ruthvenfield Rd, Inveralmond, Perth, when the site submitted its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data returns for 2021.

It is one of the largest accidental releases in the food and drink sector in Europe up to 2020 and represents 87% of the total HFC emissions from all sectors in Scotland for 2021. This resulted in a significant increase in this pollutant (around 112%) compared to 2020.

SEPA’s Carbon reduction, Energy and Industry team began an investigation into the cause, which was related to the site’s refrigeration system. This investigation is currently ongoing and SEPA will determine whether any enforcement action is required as a result of its findings.

The site has now installed alternative refrigeration technologies.