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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.

Dr Pat Carragher from Fife collected his prestigious national 2022 WellChild Award, in association with GSK, at The Hurlingham Club in London on September 8^th, having been nominated by his colleague Emma Craig,

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. The charity’s Patron, The Duke of Sussex was called away to Balmoral and so could not attend the WellChild Awards ceremony with his wife the Duchess as planned.

The news of Her Majesty’s passing broke just as the awards ceremony was about to take place. In a change to the planned proceedings, there was a short silence as a mark of respect followed by a rendition of The National Anthem from opera singers Natalie Rushdie and Camilla Kerslake. The winners then all came onto the stage as a group to receive their awards.

Dr Carragher, who is Medical Director at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Legacy category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families. 

In summer of 2022, Dr Pat Carragher will be retiring as Medical Director at CHAS after nearly 39 years of working as a doctor. He has encountered periods of great change in his years as a medic including in Primary Care when he was a GP in Kinross before becoming Rachel House’s first hospice doctor and formally beginning work in Children’s Palliative Care in March 1996.

Dr Carragher has led the changes to CHAS’s medical service provisions through the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, alongside the team, he was determined to find ways to continue to reach the thousands of children with life-shortening conditions that rely on CHAS.

He helped establish new and innovative ways of working using technology to provide help to families across Scotland and proved himself to be a strong and resilient leader through immense change. He has reshaped CHAS’s medical services, helping families during what continues to be an isolating and unpredictable time. 

Within three to four weeks from the start of the Coid-19 Pandemic, CHAS completely adapted its service offering to survive and to maintain the very best standards of care for children with palliative care needs, and to support their families.

Dr Carragher also led on virtual work through the “Near me” consultations via the NHS and by the use of Microsoft Teams, to interact with and assess children at home, and to work with their parents. CHAS’s pioneering virtual children’s hospice was also launched at the beginning of the pandemic and has rapidly developed since proving to be extremely successful.

Dr Carragher has also helped lead the CHAS hospital teams in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh through this period of transformation, providing clinical leadership and support in the planning and delivery of palliative care whilst working closely with the NHS and local authorities.

He was key in launching the first hospital-based Supportive and Palliative Care team in Scotland at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and has continued to provide specialist advice through the pandemic. 

Rami Okasha, the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, who nominated Dr Carragher for the WellChild Award, said: “Dr Pat’s leadership and strength of character has enabled the team to adapt in ways which they never imagined.

“He’s shown resilience and an unwavering drive for reaching all of those who require CHAS’s help, and he’s inspired not only the medical team but all teams.”

“Dr Pat was continuously able to inspire and encourage teams to ‘keep going’ during the pandemic and to embrace the new and innovate ways to deliver care. He has provided solid leadership throughout this period of immense change.”

Dr Carragher ends many presentations with the following which he feels is vital for us all to understand: “The death of a child has serious and lasting effects on parents and other family members, effectively for the rest of their lives.

“Any attempt to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in the final days or weeks, must not only be good for a child but, in the fullness of time, be helpful to those left behind.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “We were so pleased to be able to celebrate our remarkable winners at The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, despite the unique circumstances this year.

“It was a chance to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience, and spirit they have demonstrated. It also helped us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”