environment – Page 79 – The NEN

Botanic Gardens is top ten UK family-friendly eco-attraction

Uswitch.com reveals the best family-friendly eco-attractions in the United Kingdom, ranking each attraction out of 100
The attraction ranking in first place, with 71 points, is GreenWood Family Park based in Gwynedd, Wales
The second-best eco-friendly attraction is Pensthorpe Natural Park in Norfolk, with a score of 64 out of 100
Wildwood Trust in Kent, ranks third with a total score of 53 points out of 100
A quarter (24%)^[1]of all analysed reviews praised the attractions’ eco-conscious factors, such as educational information and sustainable ethos^[2]
Find out how you and your family could be more eco-friendly by reducing your personal carbon footprint with the Uswitch Carbon Footprint Calculator

The summer holidays can often be overwhelming for parents who don’t know where to take their children for a fun-filled family day out, so Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, have analysed the best eco-friendly attractions for parents and children to enjoy.

Uswitch.com experts scraped TripAdvisor reviews for eco-friendly attractions in the UK^[3], monitoring keywords and phrases that reflect having a great family visit^[4]. Over 34,000 four and five-star reviews were analysed, with six categories to determine a family-friendly eco-friendly attraction – Enjoyability, Family compatibility, Food availability, Affordability, Conservation and eco-friendly components and Cleanliness^[5].

Table 1: The UK’s eco-friendly attractions, ranked

Rank	Attraction	Location	Percentage of reviews mentioning keywords and phrases in each category	Final Score
Enjoyability	Family- friendly	Food availability	Affordability	Eco-friendly components	Cleanliness
1	GreenWood Family Park	Gwynedd	78%	73%	80%	5%	38%	14%	71
2	Pensthorpe Natural Park	Norfolk	64%	53%	79%	4%	56%	8%	64
3	Wildwood Trust	Kent	53%	47%	63%	4%	76%	5%	53
4	The Eden Project	Cornwall	43%	27%	63%	7%	23%	3%	40
5	The Living Rainforest	Berkshire	40%	38%	56%	4%	52%	4%	37
6	Centre for Alternative Technology	Powys	42%	32%	59%	2%	24%	6%	35
7	Markshall Estate	Braintree	42%	27%	64%	4%	20%	6%	35
8	National Botanic Garden of Wales	Carmarthenshire	48%	24%	70%	3%	20%	5%	35
9	The Royal Botanic Gardens	London	38%	18%	56%	4%	21%	3%	20
10	Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh	Edinburgh	26%	11%	43%	1%	15%	2%	6

Source: Uswitch.com

GreenWood Family Park in Gwynedd scored the highest of all the attractions with 71 points out of 100. This is no surprise since the park is home to two spectacular attractions: the world’s first people-powered rollercoaster, and Wales’s longest sled run.

The park’s Enjoyability factor was notable, with three quarters of reviews mentioning how fun (78%) or family-friendly the park is (73%), and even more favoured the quality of food (80%).

Norfolk’s Pensthorpe Natural Park scored 64, awarding itself second place in the eco-attraction rankings.

Four-fifths of reviews (79%) praised the quality of food, while over half (53%) cited the family-friendly nature of the attraction. In line with this, over three-fifths (64%) applauded the park for its fun factor.

The Park gained a mediocre score on affordability, with 4% of reviews showing negativity towards the cost of the attraction.

Table 2: The top-scoring attraction for each category analysed

Category analysed	Top scoring attraction	Location	Percentage of reviews relating to the category
Enjoyability	GreenWood Family Park	Gwynedd	78%
Family-friendly	GreenWood Family Park	Gwynedd	73%
Food availability	GreenWood Family Park	Gwynedd	80%
Affordability	The Eden Project	Cornwall	7%
Eco-friendly components	Wildwood	Kent	76%
Cleanliness	GreenWood Family Park	Gwynedd	14%

Source: Uswitch.com

Wildwood Trust, formerly known as Wildwood Discovery Park and located in south-east England, is ranked as the attraction with the most eco-friendly components, with over three-quarters (76%) of reviews mentioning this factor.

Overall, a quarter of reviews (24%) for all the attractions combined mentioned eco-friendly and conservation efforts made by the sites – and a further quarter (24%) noted the family-friendly elements of the attractions.

Uswitch encourages anyone interested in how eco-friendly their household is to find out their personal carbon footprint and read tips on how to lower it using the Uswitch Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com comments: “The relatively high numbers of reviews regarding how eco-friendly the attractions are show that visitors are mindful of where they like to spend the day with their families.

“It is great to see that a majority of these eco-friendly attractions live up to their status and are excelling in customer satisfaction.

“It is unfortunate, however, that eco-friendliness seems to come at a cost; affordability is low-ranking for these attractions, which is not ideal for those with large families or low incomes.”

Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.

Controversial Spaces for People initiative’s now Travelling Safely!

Council’s Capital Coalition to outline next steps for Spaces for People Travelling Safely programme

The city council’s Transport and Environment Committee will hear an update on the future of measures introduced to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely during the COVID pandemic on Thursday (19 August).

Under the Travelling Safely programme (formerly Spaces for People) steps are being taken to retain some schemes on an experimental basis, to remove others post-pandemic and to engage further with communities on options for a handful of measures – and those proposals have come in for plenty of stick, too.

Following approval by full Council to extend the lifespan of many interventions, officers are carrying out a ‘technical review’ of the changes. This involves detailed scheme reviews and considering comments received during public consultation and, where appropriate, improving designs. Engagement and design sessions will then be carried out with key stakeholders including the emergency services, public transport operators and access groups.

As agreed by Council, a number of schemes – Lanark Road, Comiston Road, Braid Road and Drum Brae North – will be subject to more detailed consideration and engagement with local communities to develop options for their retention or modification. A report on these will be brought to committee in October.

In line with a motion to Council in June, future plans for George IV Bridge have been considered.

Three options have been put forward – retaining the current scheme; revisions to the design, including moving segregation closer to the kerb and adding kerbside loading areas; or removing the scheme entirely.

Removing the scheme and reinstating the original road layout has been recommended to improve access for public transport and local businesses’ deliveries.

Permanent, long-term changes are planned under the Meadows to George Street project.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Over the last year and a half the Spaces for People programme has helped people to travel safely by bike while restrictions were in place on public transport, given room for parents to drop their children at school while physically distancing and provided much-needed space for exercise during the depths of lockdown, amongst other benefits.

“Now, as restrictions are lifted, we’re looking to the future of these changes, and how they can support people to make journeys by foot, bike or wheel. Right now, officers are working hard to review and improve those schemes being retained longer term, to engage with community members on those where further development is needed and carefully plan for the removal of measures that we agreed to wind down.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Thanks to feedback to the major consultation carried out earlier this year we’ve been able to carefully assess the schemes we’re planning to keep on an experimental basis for any changes that could be made.

“We’re also continuing to listen to residents, businesses and public transport operators. As a result we’re planning to make some immediate amendments to schemes to make sure they work for everyone, particularly as traffic levels return to normal.”

It is proposed that measures approved for removal, primarily in town centres, should be taken out after the festival, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

This will involve careful planning and communication with stakeholders, in particular organisations like the RNIB and Guide Dogs Scotland. Some immediate changes are recommended, such as the removal of the widened footpath on St John’s Road, due to the likely impact on bus services.

While schemes introduced around schools, such as motor traffic restrictions, have been largely set aside over the summer, the majority will be reinstated around term start dates in August. Over the coming months the Road Safety team will undertake a review of measures around schools to consider retaining them by appropriate traffic orders.

Read the full report – Active Travel Measures – Travelling Safely (Formerly Spaces for People) – on the Council website.

You can watch members of the Transport and Environment Committee discuss the report live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 19 August.

Plans submitted for Lauriston Farm agroecology project

The Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op (EAC) has submitted plans for their urban agriculture project at Lauriston Farm.

The group’s project aims to address access to local, affordable fresh produce, environmental degradation and promote knowledge of food production.

Planning application details can be viewed here:

https://tinyurl.com/5an2pwf4

Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet on Tuesday

Dear Inverleith Neighbourhood Network (NN)

The next meeting of this group is Tuesday 17^th August at 6pm on Teams (link below)

Please find attached:

Minute of previous meeting of 24^th June 2021
Agenda for meeting of 17^th August 2021
NEP report (Roads and Housing Revenue Account HRA)
Transport Infrastructure Investment report

We have no Community Grants applications to consider at this meeting, but Cllr Barrie is still looking for volunteers to join a Funding Panel that will consider any applications in future.

We are particularly keen to have anyone representing projects in the Drylaw Telford area.

Please get back to me if you are willing to assist in this.

INN-Agenda-170821 Download

Inverleith-NEP-proposals-HRA-2021-22 Download

Inverleith-NEP-updates-Roads-2021-22-240621 Download

Transport-Infrastructure-Investment-Capital-Delivery-Priorities__-for-2021-22 Download

Inverleith-NN-Notes-240621-final Download

Click here to join the meeting

Elaine Lennon

North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, City of Edinburgh Council

8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, EH4 4DP

Tel: 0131 529 5270 / 35270

UK Government scales up support to protect the world’s oceans

Projects to tackle climate change and protect the world’s ocean have been given a major boost with the first £16.2 million of funding from the UK’s £500 million Blue Planet Fund announced this week.

The programmes, financed from the UK’s overseas aid budget, will increase marine protection, tackle plastic pollution and the decline of global coral reefs, as well as using the UK’s world-leading expertise to help respond to marine pollution disasters such as the Xpress Pearl in Sri Lanka.

The ocean is a critical carbon sink which every year absorbs almost a third of global CO2 emissions. Around the globe, the ocean supports the livelihoods of one in every ten people, including some of the poorest and most vulnerable.

In the run up to the UK hosting the COP26 climate talks in November, the government is working with developing countries to take action to protect and restore our oceans.

The projects receiving funding include the launch of a new UK-led programme which will help developing countries partner with the UK’s world-leading scientists to better manage marine protected areas, and improve our understanding of the impacts of climate change and contaminants in the ocean.

The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) already has work underway with UK scientists at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) providing analysis of water samples from Sri Lanka to contribute to the ongoing response to the Xpress Pearl environmental disaster in June.

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said: The UK is a global leader in marine protection and will continue to advocate for ambitious climate and ocean action at COP26 this year.

“Our shared ocean is a vital resource and provides habitat to precious marine life, as well as supporting the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide.

“The Blue Planet Fund will support many developing countries on the front line of climate change to reduce poverty and improve the health of their seas.”

Coral reefs support 25% of marine life and provide benefits to thousands of species – qualities that make them one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems. However, they are also extremely vulnerable to climate change and pollution.

The government’s investment will support work by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific and Southeast Asia by exploring techniques such as sewage treatment and the management of marine protected areas to help save these suffering ecosystems.

Marine pollution, including plastic pollution, is a significant pressure on the marine environment – not only does it threaten key species and ecosystems in the world’s ocean, it also affects the health and livelihoods of those living in coastal regions.

A share of the £16.2m will also go towards the expansion of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)’s pioneering work in developing countries and facilitate a united effort against plastic waste globally.

Since its launch in 2018, GPAP secured a commitment by Indonesia to reduce 70% of mismanaged waste by 2025 and a commitment by Viet Nam to reduce marine plastic waste by 75% by 2030, among others.

The UK is also leading calls for a new global ‘30by30’ target to protect at least 30% of the land and at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Over eighty countries now support the marine protection target, and the Blue Planet Fund will help make sure that 30by30 becomes a reality.

“Daughter of furlough”?

TUC calls for permanent short-time working scheme to protect jobs in times of economic crisis and change

TUC says government must build on the success of furlough – and set up a permanent scheme to deal with big disruptions to jobs in the future, like the transition to net zero, future pandemics and technological change
Periods of industrial change have too often been mismanaged and led to increased inequality – a short-time working scheme would help prevent this, says TUC
Union body warns of job losses amid abrupt end to furlough scheme

The TUC is calling on the government to establish a permanent short-time working scheme as “a post pandemic legacy” to help protect working people through periods of future economic change.

The TUC says the furlough scheme, while far from perfect, is one of the major successes of government policy during the pandemic, protecting millions of jobs and livelihoods.

On the back of the success of the furlough scheme, the union body is urging government to build on furlough – “not throw away its good work” – with a permanent short-time working scheme to make the labour market more resilient in times of change and crisis.

The union body adds that because of the UK transition to net zero and the increased uptake of new technology, this is “hugely relevant”.

Case for a short-time working scheme

In a new report, Beyond furlough: why the UK needs a permanent short-time work scheme, the TUC says the case for a short-time working scheme is clear, citing significant benefits for workers, firms and government. The union body says for workers, a short-time working scheme would:

reduce the risk of workers losing their jobs in times of crisis
protect workers’ incomes – particularly as short-time working schemes are usually more generous than unemployment benefits.
prevent widening inequalities – protecting women, disabled workers and BME workers who tend to lose their jobs first in a recession due to structural discrimination

And for the government, it would:

protect against long-term unemployment, and the subsequent devastating impacts on communities
help stabilise the economy, and encourage a faster economic recovery as workers continue to spend their wages
save money, as the cost of furlough schemes is often below the cost of unemployment benefits, particularly where costs are shared with employers.

For employers, the TUC says that such a scheme would produce significant savings on redundancy, training and hiring costs, as they enable firms to keep skilled workers on their books.

The union body points out that the UK is an anomaly among developed nations in having no permanent short-time working scheme to deal with periods of industrial disruption and weak demand.

In the OECD, 23 countries had short-time working schemes in place before the coronavirus pandemic, including in Germany, Japan and many US states.

Turbulent times ahead

The TUC predicts that the UK economy is likely to face significant risks in the future – be it from climate change and the transition to net zero, new technologies such as AI, new variants or another pandemic. All could cause unpredictable and widespread disruption in the labour market – causing big spikes in unemployment and business failure.

The TUC cites failed attempts to manage industrial change in the past, which “left communities abandoned” and played a major role in the widespread regional inequality we see today.

The union body says that if the government is serious about levelling up, it will put in place a permanent short-time working scheme to prevent inequalities spiralling – adding that a short-time working scheme could play a vital role in achieving a ‘just transition’ to net zero.

Criteria for accessing scheme

The TUC says the scheme should be governed by a tripartite panel bringing together unions, business and government, which should be tasked with designing the criteria for the new scheme.

In designing the scheme, the TUC says the panel should take into account best practice from existing global schemes. The union body has set out the following conditions which it says must be in place for accessing a short-time working scheme:

Workers should continue to receive at least 80 per cent of their wages for any time on the scheme, with a guarantee that no-one will fall below the minimum wage for their normal working hours
Any worker working less than 90 per cent of their normal working hours must be offered funded training.
Firms must set out a plan for fair pay and decent jobs
Firms should put in place an agreement with their workers, either through a recognised union or through consultation mechanisms.
Firms must demonstrate a reduction in demand – which can include restructuring
Firms should commit to paying their corporation tax in the UK, and not pay out dividends while using the scheme.
The scheme should ensure full flexibility in working hours.
There should be time limits on the use of the scheme, with extension possible in limited circumstances.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Everyone deserves dignity and security at work. The pandemic shows how an unexpected economic shock can wreak havoc on jobs and livelihoods with little warning.

“In a changing and unpredictable world – as we battle climate change and new technologies emerge – a permanent short-time working scheme would help make our labour market more resilient and protect jobs and livelihoods.

“Too often in the past, periods of economic and industrial change have been badly mismanaged – increasing inequalities and leaving working people and whole communities abandoned.

“Setting up a ‘daughter of furlough’ to provide certainty to workers and firms through future industrial change would be a fitting pandemic legacy.

“Furlough has been a lifeline for millions of working people during the pandemic. Now is the time for the government to build on the success of furlough with a short-time working scheme – not throw away its good work.”

Furlough warning

The call for a permanent short-time working scheme comes exactly six weeks before the furlough scheme is set to end – the date at which employers are legally obliged to start consulting on planned redundancies with their staff.

The TUC is warning the abrupt end to the furlough scheme will cause unnecessary job losses and may harm the country’s economic recovery.

Recently, aviation unions have also been raising concerns about the sudden end to the furlough scheme and the loss of jobs in the sector.

On the ending of the furlough scheme, Frances said: “The jobs market is still fragile, with more than a million people still on furlough.

“An abrupt and premature end to the furlough scheme will needlessly cost jobs and harm our economic recovery.

“Instead of pulling the rug out from under the feet of businesses and workers, the chancellor must extend the furlough scheme for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.”

Captain Martin Chalk, Acting General Secretary of BALPA said: “The UK aviation sector is the only industry to remain effectively in a lockdown.

“It employs about one million workers directly and ONS statistics show that 57% of remaining employees in air transport companies remain on furlough.

“The scale of jobs at risk of redundancy when the furlough scheme ends is self-evident, yet the footprint of aviation must not be missed – one in four constituencies has over 1,000 people employed directly by aviation companies.

“If the Chancellor chooses not to extend furlough, the effects will be felt by workers, communities and businesses right across the country.”

Diana Holland, Unite Assistant General Secretary, said: “Aviation is crucial to the UK’s economic recovery. It needs furlough support to continue while Covid restrictions apply.

“Airports and aviation support thousands of jobs. Without support all are at high risk.”

– The full report Beyond furlough: why the UK needs a permanent short-time work scheme is here:

https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-08/PermanentFurloughReport.pdf

Today at Leith Links: Family fun at Edinburgh Climate Festival

The Edinburgh Climate Festival 2021, a free, family friendly & community-led marketplace event taking place for the first time in Leith Links East today from 12 noon to 7pm.

It aims at celebrating and inspiring climate action. Featuring performances, stalls, kids’ and adults’ activities and more, this is not to be missed! 🌎 💚 ♻️ 🌳

Highlights of the ‘marketplace’ festival include:

• Family/Kids area 👪

• Market and stalls 🎪

• Background music, Live DJ 🎵♪

• Upcycling workshops ♻️

• Henna painting ✋

• Seed planting workshops 🌾🌱

• Storytelling and arts and craft 🎨

• Free clothes repairs 🧵 ♻️ 👚

• Free bike repairs 🚲 🔧

• Electric bike trials 🚴

• Free shop with clothes, books, shoes & more! 👚👠👗📚

• Free Yoga classes 🧘🏽‍♀️

Please join share the facebook event for more updates:

https://www.facebook.com/events/125587702982065

#EdinburghClimateFestival

Climate Change: World must act now to prevent global catastrophe

Climate change widespread, rapid ... and intensifying – IPCC

Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, released today.

Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

However, strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change. While benefits for air quality would come quickly, it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilize, according to the IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, approved on Friday by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that was held over two weeks starting on July 26.

The Working Group I report is the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed in 2022.

“This report reflects extraordinary efforts under exceptional circumstances,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. “The innovations in this report, and advances in climate science that it reflects, provide an invaluable input into climate negotiations and decision-making.”

Faster warming

The report provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.

The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming. This assessment is based on improved observational datasets to assess historical warming, as well progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

“This report is a reality check,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Valérie Masson-Delmotte. “We now have a much clearer picture of the past, present and future climate, which is essential for understanding where we are headed, what can be done, and how we can prepare.”

Every region facing increasing changes

Many characteristics of climate change directly depend on the level of global warming, but what people experience is often very different to the global average. For example, warming over land is larger than the global average, and it is more than twice as high in the Arctic.

“Climate change is already affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways. The changes we experience will increase with additional warming,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai.

The report projects that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions. For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health, the report shows.

But it is not just about temperature. Climate change is bringing multiple different changes in different regions – which will all increase with further warming. These include changes to wetness and dryness, to winds, snow and ice, coastal areas and oceans.

For example:

● Climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions.

● Climate change is affecting rainfall patterns. In high latitudes, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. Changes to monsoon precipitation are expected, which will vary by region.

● Coastal areas will see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion. Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century.

● Further warming will amplify permafrost thawing, and the loss of seasonal snow cover, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and loss of summer Arctic sea ice.

● Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels have been clearly linked to human influence. These changes affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century.

● For cities, some aspects of climate change may be amplified, including heat (since urban areas are usually warmer than their surroundings), flooding from heavy precipitation events and sea level rise in coastal cities.

For the first time, the Sixth Assessment Report provides a more detailed regional assessment of climate change, including a focus on useful information that can inform risk assessment, adaptation, and other decision-making, and a new framework that helps translate physical changes in the climate – heat, cold, rain, drought, snow, wind, coastal flooding and more – into what they mean for society and ecosystems.

This regional information can be explored in detail in the newly developed Interactive Atlas interactive-atlas.ipcc.ch as well as regional fact sheets, the technical summary, and underlying report.

Human influence on the past and future climate

“It has been clear for decades that the Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed,” said Masson-Delmotte.

Yet the new report also reflects major advances in the science of attribution – understanding the role of climate change in intensifying specific weather and climate events such as extreme heat waves and heavy rainfall events.

The report also shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate. The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.

“Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and reaching net zero CO2 emissions. Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate,” said Zhai.

Older people invited to participate in University nature walks study

This Edinburgh University Dept of Clinical Psychology project aims to evaluate the impact of nature walks for older adults who would otherwise be restricted in their ability to access nature.

The University of Edinburgh are looking for participants who are:

• 65 and over

• Fluent in English

• Unable to access nature based outdoor spaces

Participation involves taking part in an online survey and watching a short video clip. This should take around 40minutes.

To take part visit www.tinyurl.com/outdoorwalks.

For more information contact lead researcher: Sarah Montrose at:

s2007876@sms.ed.ac.uk

Information for Participants:

PIS__final1 Download

SEPA warns business and public to be on alert as new waste trailer crime emerges in Scotland

SEPA is leading Scotland’s efforts to tackle new waste crime trend as seven lorries of waste found in North Lanarkshire in recent months
Research estimates £53 million is taken from the public purse every year in Scotland removing illegal waste
Scotland’s enforcement agencies are working together, alongside UK counterparts, to find and stop illegal activity
SEPA is warning waste criminals that compliance with Scotland’s environmental laws is non-negotiable and those caught risk a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £40,000 and/or imprisonment
Everyone is asked to remain vigilant and report suspicious vehicles and activity so action can be taken swiftly
Now more than ever, everyone needs to play their part in correctly managing Scotland’s waste and help stop waste crime
Public are warned – do not give your waste to potential criminals. Take steps to protect yourself, your community and the environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that a new trend appears to be establishing in Scotland as a total of seven abandoned trailers full of waste have been discovered in the central belt in recent months. Investigations to establish the source of the trailers are ongoing – which could lead to the prosecution of those responsible.

Similar instances of waste being placed into trailers and being abandoned at roadsides and industrial locations had been seen in England over recent months. Working alongside partners through the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, SEPA had been tracking this growing trend across the UK since last year, but seven trailers in eight months indicates this may now be a new disposal route for waste criminals in Scotland.

Jennifer Shearer, SEPA Head of Enforcement, said: “This type of crime has a real impact on local communities, legitimate business and the public agencies who are working to tackle it.

“A high proportion of individuals or companies that are involved in waste crime are also associated with other criminality and sadly this activity has continued during the pandemic.

“Waste crime can cause serious pollution. It puts communities at risk and places further stress on legitimate operators. It also impacts investment and economic growth – serious and organised waste crime is estimated to cost the UK economy at least £600 million a year.*

“We know that criminals are inventive and will find new ways to break the law and make money – but Scotland’s enforcement agencies are inventive too and we are working together, alongside others across the UK, to make sure we find them and we stop them.

“We will continue to work closely with partners, often through joint initiatives such as the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, to ensure we can maximise our collaborative efforts to have the greatest impact, and ultimately stop this type of highly adaptive and lucrative waste crime.”

Clearing up after criminals

The distinctive form of illegal waste disposal saves criminals thousands of pounds in waste disposal costs, but the costs to others may be high. Money often ends up coming out of the public purse – according to 2013 Zero Waste Scotland research at least £53 million of public money is spent cleaning up litter and fly-tipping every year. That is money that could be spent on other public services.

Robert Steenson, DETER Strand Lead with Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and Executive Director of North Lanarkshire Council said: “This type of illegal dumping not only costs the taxpayers’ huge sums of money to clear up, but poses a serious hazard to the environment and our communities.

“These poorly maintained trailers are also being driven on public roads before being dumped and therefore create a dangerous risk to other road users.

“Those responsible have absolutely no respect for people living in the areas these trailers are being dumped and I would urge anyone with any information to contact SEPA or Police Scotland immediately. This type of waste crime has unfortunately became more widespread across the country and is often linked to organised crime groups who use it as a means to make money to fund their other criminal activities. It undermines legitimate disposal businesses and poses a very serious risk to public safety.

“We are working with our partners to safely clear this dumped waste and we will use all the powers at our disposal to identify those responsible.”

Vehicle or landowners may also end up incurring the cost of having waste removed and disposed of legally, which can be considerable.

Tackling waste criminals

SEPA has developed a more targeted approach to tackling environmental crime that directly impacts local communities and the environment. In recent weeks we have been able to confirm that 25 illegal sites or activities have ceased since the turn of the year, with partnership working across agencies being a key success factor.

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans and Chair of the SOC Taskforce said: “Those involved in fly tipping and other waste crimes will exploit any opportunity to maximise their wealth at the expense of everyone else.

“This is not a victimless crime and causes significant problems to the public, legitimate businesses and the landowners where the waste is abandoned.

“Partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce will use every means at their disposal to disrupt this crime, but we need the help of the public.

“Everyone needs to ensure their waste is properly and legally disposed of and we are also urging members of the public who see evidence of these crimes to report it. If you see something say something.”

Help stop waste criminals operating

Investigations into the source of the trailers and waste are ongoing and SEPA is urging anyone who recognises the vehicles, or the waste within them, to get in touch.

Communities are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious trailers left by the roadside or in isolated areas as soon as possible. If alerted to it early SEPA has a better opportunity to step in and take action, along with partners like Police Scotland and local authorities. The longer it takes to identify trailers the more chance there is agencies will lose access to essential evidence to help track the perpetrators.

Anyone who may have any information about these lorry trailers, no matter how significant it may seem, is encouraged to get in touch with SEPA as soon as possible. Similarly, if they see any suspicious trailers left by the roadside or in isolated areas they should report it to SEPA’s 24 hour pollution line using the online form at sepa.org.uk/report or by calling 0800 80 70 60.

Landowners are also reminded to be alert to the risk of their land or premises being used for illegal waste deposits. Trailer or vehicle owners should be aware of the risk of theft.

SEPA is also warning the criminals involved that their activities are firmly in the spotlight and compliance with Scotland’s environmental laws is non-negotiable. Illegal waste disposal and fly tipping is a serious offence with significant consequences and those caught risk a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £40,000 and/or imprisonment.

The distinctive form of illegal waste disposal saves criminals thousands of pounds in waste disposal costs, but the costs to others may be high. Vehicle or landowners are likely to incur the costs of having waste removed and disposed of legally, which can be considerable.

Do not give your waste to potential criminals

As well as reporting suspicious activity, members of the public can help tackle waste crime by refusing to engage the services of people who are not authorised.

Jennifer Shearer explained: “Now more than ever, we all need to play our part in correctly managing our waste. You have the responsibility to take care of your waste and if we trace it back to you, we can take enforcement action against you too.

“We don’t want people to be put in that situation so make sure that anyone who takes your waste for disposal is properly accredited. Take steps to protect yourself, your community and the environment.

“Remember, disposing of waste legally costs money. Services that sound too good to be true often are and could lead to your waste being illegally fly-tipped or disposed of by other illegitimate means.

“Anyone offering to take your waste away should be able to provide a SEPA waste carrier registration number and give you the name of the facility they will take the waste to – if they can’t provide this information, do not allow them to take your waste.”