Scotland encourages businesses to aim for low carbon futures

The publication of the Low Carbon Economic Strategy by the Scottish Government aims to encourage businesses to work towards low carbon futures.

The strategy has been welcomed by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, (SEPA) which has been working towards the low carbon goal alongside the Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland and Transport Scotland.

Being given particular focus are the industries which represent the largest economic and environmental benefits to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth, such as technology firms and transport.

SEPA’s Chairman David Sigsworth said, “Scotland’s future lies in low carbon technologies and greener business. We have the most ambitious emissions reduction targets in the world and we have the natural resources and the desire to become a leading low carbon economy.

“Monitoring and understanding how Scotland’s environment responds to emerging pressures is essential so that we can not only target regulatory activity and advice, but can also identify new technology solutions which reduce environmental harm and protect the environment, whilst supporting business and economic growth,” he added.

SEPA has highlighted how increasing environmental regulation should be viewed by businesses as a framework that can assist the drive to a low carbon future and encourage behaviour change.

The environment watchdog also said that the regulations could help businesses to 'manage risk through the avoidance of future costs relating to non-compliance of future environmental standards.'