Regulations linked to statutory targets within the Climate Change Update Plan pertaining specifically to Scottish ports: FOI release

Information requested

What are the current regulations linked to the statutory targets within the Climate Change Update Plan that pertain specifically to Scottish ports?

Does Transport Scotland have plans in place to replicate the current guidance on the UK Clean Maritime Plan and the Port Air Quality Strategies in place for England, in Scotland?

What guidance has Transport Scotland provided to the newly established Environment Standards Scotland (ESS) to direct their scrutiny of Scottish ports in respect of air quality and climate emissions?

Will any additional or separate guidance be provided to those ports designated as Scottish Greenports given the impending announcement of the winning bids?

Response

What are the current regulations linked to the statutory targets within the Climate Change Update Plan that pertain specifically to Scottish ports?

There are no specific regulations linked to Scottish ports and the Climate Change Update Plan. It must be noted that shipping regulation is not devolved to the Scottish Government. However, we do recognise the role in assisting ports and shipping sectors to move to more sustainable operations and we are keen to see shore side power, which removes the need to use diesel-powered generators whilst in port, utilised more widely at Scotland’s ports. The Scottish Government is directly pursuing this on the lifeline ferry network, including the retrofitting of the MV Hamnavoe serving Orkney, to be able to plug in overnight at Stromness.

The challenge for the wider ports and shipping sectors to adapt to lower carbon technologies is one we fully recognise and we continue to work with our maritime stakeholders to meet the challenge. As the maritime sector involves a mix of reserved and devolved powers, we are working with the UK Government on a number of consultations including a recent call for evidence on the use of shore side power at ports, as most ports do not currently have the necessary infrastructure and many vessels are not equipped to utilize shore side power. There is also considerable research taking place on future fuels for vessels, so that ships can significantly reduce their carbon footprint by moving away from using marine diesel fuel.

Does Transport Scotland have plans in place to replicate the current guidance on the UK Clean Maritime Plan and the Port Air Quality Strategies in place for England, in Scotland?

There are no current plans to replicate the UK guidance.

The Scottish Government is currently working with individual ports and the British Ports Association to consider a process for encouraging shared best practice initiatives for reducing emissions across the sector. We also continue to examine the scope for utilising hybrid and low carbon energy sources in the public sector marine fleet as part of our vessel replacement programme. In addition, Scottish Ministers support the UK Government, as the member state representative at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), to push for new IMO initiatives to significantly lower shipping carbon emissions in the global shipping sector.

What guidance has Transport Scotland provided to the newly established Environment Standards Scotland (ESS) to direct their scrutiny of Scottish ports in respect of air quality and climate emissions?

Transport Scotland has not provided any guidance to the ESS to direct their scrutiny of Scottish ports in respect of air quality and climate emissions. The ESS is a public sector body, set up as a nonministerial office, independent of SG, and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. For further information, please see the ESS website.

Will any additional or separate guidance be provided to those ports designated as Scottish Greenports given the impending announcement of the winning bids?

We are determined to ensure that Green Freeports will create significant numbers of good, green jobs, and deliver positive benefits for Scotland’s businesses, workers and communities. Reflecting our net zero ambitions, we adapted the UK’s Freeport model to meet the needs of the Scottish economy. Applications were required to show how they will contribute towards reaching net zero by 2045, through submitting robust decarbonisation plans.

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