Tag: Environment Agency

SEPA urges businesses using water to stay vigilant after swing in weather conditions

New statistics highlight the contrasting conditions impacting Scotland’s water environment this summer, prompting a plea from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for businesses to stay vigilant.

Some areas that were experiencing significant water scarcity at the end of June, including the Rivers Annan and Nith, have now recovered in just a few weeks after nearly double the normal amount of rainfall for July according to new figures from the Met Office. Scotland as a whole received around 50% more rain than average for the month.

This is in contrast to a very dry April, May and June for Scotland, with May in particular only recording less than half (44%) of the average rainfall.

The latest water scarcity report, published today by SEPA, shows a positive picture with most of the country now experiencing normal river and groundwater levels.

However, parts of the north-east around Morayshire and northern Aberdeenshire are recovering more slowly, with just average or below average rainfall for the previous month. This means a possibility remains of conditions worsening in these areas if August isn’t wetter than usual.

water-scarcity-report-04-augustDownload

Kenny Boag, Head of Environmental Performance at SEPA, said: “I’m sure many would agree it feels like we often experience all seasons in a single day in Scotland, and the country is in fact famed for its unpredictable weather. The difference between the situation facing Scotland’s water environment in June compared to July is stark.

“While this keeps locals and tourists alike on their toes, there’s no doubt it proves challenging for industries that rely on the environment to operate. Farms, whisky distilleries and golf courses are all examples of businesses that need a consistent supply of water.

“That’s why it’s crucial they’re aware of the conditions impacting sources like rivers and burns and reduce their reliance on them. We’re asking businesses to monitor how much they’re using, review techniques and best practice, and invest in improvements where needed. They should adopt a longer-term view to prepare for these dynamic conditions, rather than waiting until levels reach a critical state.

“SEPA works all year round, not just in summer, to support users and foster a culture of sustainable water management. This will not only reduce environmental impacts during dry periods but can also lead to cost savings and improved efficiency for businesses.”

At the end of June this year, SEPA varied water abstraction licences, requiring a number of farmers to reduce the amount of water they were taking from the environment to allow levels to recover.

Water abstractors and irrigators in all parts of Scotland are advised to manage water wisely to minimise the need for future restrictions:

  • Check SEPA’s water scarcity reports regularly to keep up to date with the water situation in your area. 
  • Regularly check abstraction equipment to make sure it’s in good condition and fix any leaks straight away.
  • Where possible, reduce the volume and rate of your abstractions.
  • Have a contingency plan for if restrictions or suspensions are put in place

More information, guidance and advice can be found at 

www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.

SEPA announces Nicole Paterson as next Chief Executive

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced the appointment of Nicole Paterson as its next Chief Executive.

Nicole, who joins the agency in October, is an award-winning local government Chief Officer, with nearly thirty-years’ experience across five local authorities, consultancy, and environmental non-executive roles; leading operational, regulatory and strategic environmental services.

With more than twenty-five-years’ experience in local government specifically, Ms. Paterson joins from North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland’s fourth largest local authority, where her role as Head of Environmental Assets saw her drive a strategic vision of community focused, inclusive growth and prosperity.  She led systemic change on climate change adaption, biodiversity, flood risk management, transport policy, planning and green spaces.

Nicole previously spent over a decade at Stirling Council leading strategic environmental and infrastructure programmes and has worked across West Lothian, East Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Councils. 

She is a Board Member of Climate Ready Clyde, working with industry and government, and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Transport Portfolio leading strategic transport visioning.  A Chartered civil engineer and University of Strathclyde graduate, Nicole is a member of 7 Lochs Wetland Park and previously the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative.

The appointment followed an open recruitment process which attracted a broad and diverse range of applications from across Scotland, the UK and Europe.

Announcing the appointment, Bob Downes, SEPA Chair, said: “As Scotland’s environmental watchdog, SEPA plays a key role in Scottish public life, protecting, adapting, and supporting our transition to a net zero economy. 

“We’ve got a great team of multi-skilled professionals dedicated to our rich and diverse environment.  They deserve the very best leadership and I’m delighted that in Nicole, we’ve found an optimistic, energetic leader who’s as passionate about Scotland’s environment, our statutory purpose and delivering modern, effective and essential public services as we are. 

“But more than that, we’ve found in Nicole an open, supportive and motivational leader committed to collaboration, outcomes, excellence and building an agency reflective of the country we serve.

Commenting on her appointment, Nicole said: ““Scotland’s stunning environment, its lochs and its land, are world-renowned, and being trusted to protect them for future generations, while supporting our nation to adapt to a changing climate, is a privilege. 

“Protecting our environment, inclusion, wellbeing and supporting sustainable growth are not only key to my personal and professional beliefs, they’re at the heart of SEPA’s statutory purpose.   They’re fundamental to SEPA’s One Planet Prosperity strategy and the work that its people deliver each and every day in communities the length and breadth of our country.

“Across my career, from working with the Board of Climate Ready Clyde to Argyll and Bute Council, I’ve been constantly inspired by SEPA’s role in improving Scotland’s environment, its commitment to collaboration and the professionalism and commitment of its people. 

“Over the coming months I look forward to visiting, meeting with and listening to people, partners and stakeholders across the country as together we deliver for Scotland’s environment.”

Mr. Downes recognised and thanked Acting Chief Executive, Jo Green and Agency Management Team colleagues for their

leadership following the departure of the previous Chief Executive, delivering an annual operating plan and supporting and empowering delivery and performance.  Jo Green will continue as Acting Chief Executive until Ms. Paterson assumes responsibilities in October.

Adapt or Die, warns Environment Agency

The climate emergency can only be successfully tackled through greater focus on adapting to the inevitable climate impacts that we are already seeing, the Environment Agency has warned today (13 October) as it urged world leaders to step up to that challenge at COP26.

In a report to the UK Government, the agency has warned of more extreme weather leading to increased flooding and drought, sea level rises of up to 78cm by the 2080s, and public water supplies needing more than 3.4 billion extra litres of water per day by 2050. It has urged governments, businesses and society to embrace and invest in adaptation, rather than living with the costs of inaction.

With COP26 less than three weeks away, it has welcomed the UK Government’s focus on adaptation as well as mitigation, and the fact that climate adaptation is one of the Summit’s four key goals, but urged that more action is needed at a global level to protect the billions of lives and livelihoods that are at risk.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “The climate crisis is global, but its impacts are in your village, your shop, your home. Adaptation action needs to be integral to government, businesses and communities too and people will soon question why it isn’t – especially when it is much cheaper to invest early in climate resilience than to live with the costs of inaction.

“While mitigation might save the planet, it is adaptation, preparing for climate shocks, that will save millions of lives. Choosing one over the other on the basis of a simple either/or calculation is like telling a bird it only needs one wing to fly.

“With that in mind, it is deeply worrying that adaptation is in danger of being grievously undercooked at COP26. Not by the UK Government, but by the world at large.

“Significant climate impacts are inevitable. We can successfully tackle the climate emergency if we do the right things, but we are running out of time to implement effective adaptation measures. Our thinking must change faster than the climate.

“Some 200 people died in this summer’s flooding in Germany. That will happen in this country sooner or later, however high we build our flood defences, unless we also make the places where we live, work and travel resilient to the effects of the more violent weather the climate emergency is bringing.

“It is adapt or die. With the right approach we can be safer and more prosperous. So let’s prepare, act and survive.”

The message comes in the Environment Agency’s third adaptation report, submitted to the UK government under the Climate Change Act.

Even with a 2°C temperature rise compared to pre-industrial levels, key projections within the report include:

  • Winter rainfall is expected to increase by approximately 6% by the 2050s and by 8% by the 2080s, compared to a 1981-2000 baseline.
  • Summer rainfall is expected to decrease by approximately 15% by the 2050s compared to a 1981-2000 baseline.
  • London’s sea level is expected to rise by between approximately 23cm by the 2050s and 45cm by the 2080s.
  • River flows will be more extreme. Peak flows are expected to be up to 27% higher in the 2050s, while in the summer months river flows could be 82% lower by as soon as 2050.
  • Public water supplies are expected to require more than 3.4 billion extra litres of water per day if no action is taken before 2050.

Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, said: “We’re pleased to see the Environment Agency publishing its latest climate change adaptation plan.

“This road map will be vital to ensuring our natural and built environments are well adapted to the significant changes in our climate taking place today, with more to come.

We urge all Government agencies, authorities, regulators and businesses big and small to get their adaptation plans together before the deadline on 31 December.

“We look forward to assessing the EA’s plan in early 2022 as part of our independent appraisal for Government of similar plans from across the public and private sectors.

The report also sets out five climate “reality checks” to make the case for urgent action on adaptation:

  1. The Environment Agency alone cannot protect everyone from increasing flood and coastal risks: rising sea levels and extreme winter rainfall will mean it will not be technically, socially, and economically viable to protect every community. Instead, alongside constructing and maintaining defences, we must help communities learn to live with risk, minimise damage, and return to normal life quickly.
  2. Climate change makes it harder to ensure clean and plentiful water: existing issues with water stress will be exacerbated by climate change bringing altered temperature and rainfall patterns. Measures to tackle these pressures are underway, but a strategic approach to water management and faster progress on improvements are needed.
  3. Environmental regulation is not yet ready for a changing climate: climate change is increasing the impact of environmental incidents, for example lower river levels means pollutants diffuse slower and have a greater impact. It is vital that environmental policy and legislation keeps pace with the escalating challenge to allow us and other regulators to protect the environment.
  4. Ecosystems cannot adapt as fast as the climate is changing: industrialisation and urbanisation have left the UK as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and climate change means wildlife in England will continue to be altered. We must recognise importance of natural ecosystems in supporting life (including our own) in our health and wellbeing. Nature must be the essential foundation of development, rather than being seen as an impediment.
  5. There will be more and worse environmental incidents: both natural and man-made environmental incidents will be made worse by climate change. This will place an increased burden on emergency response, and divert resources from other activities.
environment-agency-climate-change-adaptation-report-summaryDownload

The report highlights how the Environment Agency is working with government, businesses and communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change, including delivering a record £5.2 billion programme of new flood and coastal defences over the next six years.

While the risks are serious, they can be addressed by early action, and the report also sets out how the Environment Agency is meeting those challenges.

This includes:

  • Working with government, businesses and communities to implement the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy and our vision to create a nation ready for and resilient to flooding and coastal change up to 2100.
  • Working with water companies and Ofwat on the National Framework for Water Resources, which sets out how we will address future challenges to water supply.
  • Helping to deliver the £10 million Natural Environment Readiness Fund, helping to support projects in attracting private sector finance into investment in the natural environment.
  • Focusing on nature based approaches, restoring and creating peatlands, wetland and other habitats to create climate-resilient habitats for wildlife, reduce flood risk, improve water quality and improve access to greenspace for people
  • Using our role as a regulator to help businesses understand and reduce their climate impact and prepare for the future.

Do you know what you’re burning this fireworks night?

The Environment Agency is reminding people it’s illegal to burn many types of waste.

Burning certain types of waste and setting fire to treated wood, tyres, plastics, rubber and oil can seriously harm health and pollute the environment. Continue reading Do you know what you’re burning this fireworks night?