Draft Environment Strategy: strategic environmental assessment
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to determine the potential impacts of implementation of the draft Environment Strategy on the environment.
Chapter 8: Conclusion and next steps
Conclusion
8.1 The Draft Environment Strategy is identified as delivering a range of positive environmental effects across the SEA objectives. The Environment Strategy is focused on consolidation of existing policy and action, and some outcomes identify limited additional actions. Furthermore, environmental effects identified across several of the SEA topic areas are indirect, which could result in minor negative effects for example the impacts on landscape and cultural heritage resulting from changes in views as a result of green infrastructure.
8.2 The Draft Environmental Report will be subject to consultation as required by the 2005 Act.
8.3 Following the consultation period, the consultation responses will be analysed, and Scottish Government will further develop the content of the Environment Strategy. The Scottish Government will then finalise and publish the Environment Strategy. After the Environment Strategy is adopted, a Post Adoption Statement will be produced. This Statement will set out how the SEA and the views received in the consultation process have been taken into account.
Next steps
8.4 Table 8.1 sets out an indicative timetable for the development of the Draft Environment Strategy and associated SEA process.
Table 8.1: Indicative timetable
Indicative timing: June 2025
Development of the Environment Strategy: Publish and consult on Draft Environment Strategy
Stage of the SEA: Consult on the Environmental Report for a period of 3 months
Indicative timing: Autumn 2025
Development of the Environment Strategy: Analysis of responses on Draft Environment Strategy and further development of content
Stage of the SEA: Analysis of responses on the Environmental Report
Indicative timing: Winter 2025/2026
Development of the Environment Strategy: N/A
Stage of the SEA: Additional SEA of additional plan content (if required)
Indicative timing: March 2026
Development of the Environment Strategy: Finalise and publish Environment Strategy
Stage of the SEA: Produce and publish the SEA Post Adoption Statement for the Environment Strategy