Overview of Scotland's first Low Emission Strategy provided by Andrew Taylor - Air Quality Policy Manager.

1. Scottish Transport Emissions Partnership Annual Conference 2014 Draft Low Emission Strategy – Collaborative Development
Andrew Taylor
Air Quality Policy Manager
Directorate for Environment & Forestry

2. •Background
•Consultation
•Draft Low Emission Strategy – structure and key points
•Low Emission Zone framework
•Next stages

3. Background
•Many local authorities have long established action plans with a wide range of measures, but progress in improving air quality is slow
•Measures with the biggest potential impacts tend to be expensive and/or presentationally difficult – Low Emission Zones, congestion charging, large scale modal shift to public transport
•Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow have all completed/are undertaken LEZ feasibility studies – but no LEZ yet in Scotland despite widespread adoption in Europe

4. A national approach to LEZs
•A national approach may help acceptability – certainty for businesses and transport operators with the same standards to be met everywhere
•Scottish Government announced in July 2013 that a national framework for LEZs would be developed
•This concept has subsequently developed into plans for a national Low Emissions Strategy within which the LEZ framework will sit

5. A national Low Emissions Strategy
The aim:
The LES will draw together various
policies being implemented and
developed across a range of
central government portfolios
which have the potential to
improve air quality, and other
cross-cutting environmental issues,
and present these within a coherent
overall framework.

6. Consultation
Three consultation workshops held to:
•inform content of draft Strategy
•provide opportunity for all interested parties to contribute their views – c.50 private and public sector organisations
28 May – Edinburgh – Planning
3 June – Glasgow – Transport, Business & Freight
11 June – Stirling – Energy
Each workshop was based on a series of eight general questions, plus three specific questions related to the themes of the individual workshops.

7. Workshops – Key Issues
•Clear purpose and objectives, with measurable and meaningful targets which are regularly monitored
•Adequate resources
•Emphasis on economic as well as health/AQ benefits
•Technological and behavioural changes
•Support and buy in at all levels, and across public and private sectors
•Key roles of development and transport planning
•Clear guidance and support from central government
•Strong linkages with other strategies, policies and legislation

8. Literature review
• Learn from experiences elsewhere
• Wide range of case studies, focus on relevance for
Scotland:
England – London, Bradford, Oxford, York
Europe – Berlin, Bremen, Copenhagen, Milan,
Stockholm
Rest of world – Hong Kong, Mexico City, San
Francisco, Seoul

9. Literature review – conclusions
Three main approaches to emissions reduction:
•Influencing behaviour – carrots and sticks
•Emissions standards
•Accelerated take up of new technologies

10. Interviews
•Structured telephone discussions for more in depth input to draft Strategy
•Interviewees selected to provide
range of views, some with past
experience of implementing Low
Emission Strategies:
- Transport for London
- Bradford City Council
- Greensphere
- 2020 Group
- Friends of the Earth Scotland

11. Draft Low Emission Strategy for Scotland
•Draft Strategy developed over
past few months by Scottish
Government, Transport Scotland
and SEPA
•Regular feedback from STEP
members and Scottish urban
air quality group

12. Annexes ................................................................................................................................. Annex A - Consultation Process ............................................................................................. Annex B – Low Emission Zone Guidance .............................................................................. Annex C - Modelling Guidance ............................................................................................... Annex D – Useful Resources ................................................................................................. Annex E – Legislation and Policy

13. Mission, Vision & Objectives

14. National Low Emission Zone Framework
•Development of the LEZ framework still at an early stage – initial proposals in the draft Strategy
•Decision on whether to introduce an LEZ will still be with local authorities – but will have to comply with criteria in the national framework
•Certainty and consistency for all who are affected – on both the implementation and compliance sides
•Particular emphasis on regional working amongst local authorities

16. Consultation – next stages
•Full draft Strategy will be issued for consultation before end of 2014
•Second consultation stage will involve:
-formal Scottish Government consultation exercise
-further informal discussions with STEP, SUAQG and others
- engagement with individuals/organisations with previous experience of developing and implementing Low Emission Strategies

17. Working groups
Establishment of working groups to help refine specific sections:
i.LEZ framework
ii.health
iii.planning
iv.modelling & monitoring
v.transport
vi.sustainability
Role:
•Provide guidance and suggestions on how to develop the Strategy further and to deliver the actions
Timescale:
•Groups will be established as early as possible in 2015

18. Workshop on air quality and traffic modelling
•Taking place on 9 December
•Will discuss approach to traffic monitoring and modelling in the Netherlands, with the aim of learning lessons which can be applied in Scotland
•The LES monitoring & modelling working group will be launched at the event

19. Post consultation
•LES will be developed further over first part of 2015, both in terms of content and structure
•Draft version and outputs from second stage consultation will form the basis of the final Strategy
•Aiming to publish this final version as soon as is feasible – important to maintain focus and momentum, and start delivering on the actions
•Scottish Government will produce an annual progress report and develop a timetable for reviewing and updating the Strategy

20. Further information and questions:
andrew.taylor2@scotland.gsi.gov.uk