All public programmes will be 'green proofed' under legislation introduced to the Scottish Parliament.  The Environmental Assessment Bill aims to put Scotland at the forefront of environmental protection by ensuring that all public sector plans, strategies and programmes are scrutinised for their environmental impact.

Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:

"This legislation puts Scotland ahead of Europe in the protection we afford to the environment.  Too often in the past major public projects have been undertaken without proper consideration of their effect on our environment. This Bill puts consideration of environmental impacts at the start of the process.  It gives the public a say in the preparation of all major public plans that affect our lives.  Environmental assessment underpins our commitment to put sustainable development at the heart of public policy."

Lloyd Austin, Chair, Scottish Environment LINK, said:

"Scottish Environment LINK warmly welcomes the introduction of this bill. Strategic Environmental Assessment can only help decision makers avoid costly environmental mistakes if the process for undertaking SEA is managed effectively.  We will work closely with the Executive and the Parliament to ensure that this bill creates a robust framework for all public bodies to use; in particular, we will scrutinise the Bill carefully and make suggestions for any improvements that may be appropriate.  Thereafter, we will monitor the application of SEA by public bodies to ensure the new legislation is delivering on the Executive's good intentions."

Cllr Maureen Child, Vice Chair Scotland of the Sustainable Development Commission, said:

"The Sustainable Development Commission (Scotland) welcomes this pioneering legislation because it will enable the Scottish Executive to place sustainable development concerns at the very centre of public policy making."

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides a systematic method of considering the significant environmental effects on the environment of public sector strategies, plans and programmes.

Through its consultation provisions the Bill proactively seeks to increase effective public participation in public sector decision making. It does this through its requirements to notify and to consult with key environmental agencies, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland and Scottish Environment Protectoin Agency and with the public on the environmental assessments of the strategies, plans and programmes subject to the Bill.

SEAs cover all aspects of the environment including: biodiversity, population, human health, flora, fauna, water, soil, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage (including architectural and archaeological heritage), and landscape.

For more information:

• Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill
• Sustainable Development Commission
• Scottish Environment LINK