Seòmar agus comataidhean

Under the Learning Estate Investment Programme, the Scottish Government and COSLA have jointly agreed a funding model that will include a focus on energy efficiency outcomes. Precise details are being finalised.

Due to the development and construction timescales of the 11 first phase projects within the programme, this funding model is not expected to have an impact in the next 3 years.

The Scottish Government has set up a working group, with membership from COSLA and local authority Directors of Finance and Directors of Education, to consider how energy targets may be best achieved. The working group will give consideration to a tapered model of funding for the energy outcome target.

Local authorities are likely to see significant benefits from Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) as set out in the DRS Full Business Case Stage 1, published on 8 May 2019. Zero Waste Scotland has been working closely with local authorities to assess the likely impacts in more detail and we intend to share a summary of that work with the Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform Committee in due course.

The Scottish Government is working with the other UK administrations to scope the potential for additional schemes for textiles, bulky waste including mattresses, certain construction materials, tyres and fishing gear. Any proposals that come forward would need to meet our ambitions and fully respect the devolution settlement.

The Full Business Case Stage 1 for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), published on 8 May 2019, drew on the best available evidence to assess the potential impact of DRS on recycling rates. The Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform Committee has asked for further information on the data used to determine recycling rates and we intend to provide this in due course.

We recognise that some local authorities may need to adjust their waste collection services once Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is in place. We will continue to work with local authorities to support them in this process, including through the ongoing review of the Household Recycling Code of Practice. Our Full Business Case Stage 1 forecasts a net financial benefit for local authorities from the introduction of DRS.

The Scottish Government Guidance on Dog Training Aids, issued in October 2018, provides important advice on all aversive training techniques, including static pulse collars, for both dog owners and those enforcing the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. A commitment was made to review the effectiveness of the Guidance in helping to prevent the mis-use of aversive training methods after 12 months in light of the practical experience of Scottish enforcement bodies. That review is currently underway.

Future consideration of a potential ban on static pulse collars will be undertaken within the context of a Scottish Government consultation on electronic collars in 2015-16, and within the context of the results of the review on the effectiveness of the current Guidance on Dog Training Aids.

In order to provide data for the review on 21 November 2019 the Scottish Government issued a targeted survey to enforcement authorities and other key stakeholders. The window for responses closed on 21 February 2020. Analysis of those responses is currently ongoing and the report will be published in due course.

Zero Waste Scotland is working with the National Bed Federation on a three-year research project to increase mattress recycling and encourage more sustainable design. This will include bringing forward proposals for a producer responsibility system that will encourage manufacturers and retailers to establish sustainable practices such as mattresses that last longer, are easier to repair, and easier to recycle at end of life. Mattresses also form part of our discussions with the UK Government on development of additional statutory extended producer responsibility schemes.

The Woodland Carbon Code, launched in 2011 and managed by Scottish Forestry, provides long-term assurance for land managers and investors involved in tree planting for carbon sequestration. The Code is an important mechanism to attract private finance into woodland creation, helping to meet targets for woodland planting and for greenhouse gas removals.

The Code has all the major components required to build market trust and credibility including robust underpinning science, independent certification, a carbon registry and firm rules on additionality and permanence of CO 2 removals.

One of the barriers to long term certainty is lack of clarity on future funding from the UK Government – we will continue to press for this.