Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy: progress report
This sets out the policy framework for air quality in Scotland to 2026 and includes a comprehensive list of actions across ten policy areas. This fourth annual report summarises progress on actions since the last report in June 2024.
Annex B: completed ongoing actions
Two actions are completed ongoing. These actions will be embedded in our current and future action to improve air quality. Updates for completed ongoing actions are provided in the table below. Each action in CAFS2 has been assigned a short (to 2022), medium (to 2024) or longer term (to 2026) timeframe for delivery within the Delivery Plan.
Topic and timeframe: Data (long term action)
CAFS2 Action: The Scottish Government with support from SEPA will commission research to explore the potential of utilising satellite data to complement air quality monitoring.
Update: SEPA has been invited to a workshop led by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) on the future of the Copernicus Atmosphere (CAMS) and Climate Change (C3S) services. This will be an opportunity to discuss a set of draft future (post 2027) plans for each of the two Services managed by ECMWF, so we can contribute to shaping the services further and explore utilising the data to complement air quality monitoring as part of the next air quality framework.
Topic and timeframe: Transport (long term action)
CAFS2 Action: Transport Scotland will work to more fully understand the role of non-electrification routes to decarbonising transport – to lead to a better-defined wider policy position that complements existing electrification work streams. We will explore alternative fuels’ potential to power certain vehicle types in the short, medium and long term, whilst still contributing to Scotland’s statutory climate change targets.
Update: Transport Scotland’s position is to focus on the transition to electrification and other zero emission technologies. The role of bio, synthetic and other fuels are being considered for other transport sectors, particularly aviation, linked in part to the ongoing assessment of options for the future of the Grangemouth industrial site.