Climate Change and Land Management – SEPA’s role

Janet Moxley (Senior Scientist – Climate Change) and Lorna Harris (Wetland Ecologist), SEPA

Content

Climate Change (Scotland) Act – what is required? SEPA’s role?

Analysis of existing monitoring data (TOC and DOC)

Link to land management pressures

Developing policy and guidance

Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

80% reduction by 2050 Six greenhouse gases Interim target 42% 2020 Duties on public bodies to contribute to the

delivery of targets in exercising its powers (including decision making)

Adaptation programme Land Use Strategy by 2011 Energy Efficiency Action Plan

Other Scottish Policies

Government’s Economic Strategy

Adaptation Framework Renewables Action Plan

20% by 2020 50% (electricity) by

2020 and 31% by 2011

11% (heat) by 2020 10% transport

SEPA’s role in addressing Climate Change

Keep up to date with climate change science Advise Scottish Government Regulate major energy users and producers

under PPC and EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Monitor key environmental parameters Advise business on energy and resource

efficiency and waste minimisation. Promote sustainable flood management

practices and lead flood warning Promote soil conservation Work with SEARs partners to minimise

emissions from agriculture and rural land use sectors

TOC in Rivers

58 sites river have > 10 years data. (All in N)

39 of these showed TOC concentration increases, the rest no trend.

Only decreases were the Carron (Falkirk) and Forth (Craigforth) (< 10 y data).

Increases mainly in east. Mean increase 0.12 mg/l/y –

increase of 0.25 mg/l over 20 years (doubling).

Concs +vely correlated with flow “Spikier” results at 15 sites in NE

DOC in Lochs

Good network of sites, but generally < 6 years data.

Decreases in concentration at 45 sites, increases at 8 sites.

Unclear why lochs show different trend to rivers

Land Management and Carbon

Changes in land management and use suggested as causes of increased carbon loss from soils (TOC increase in rivers)

Soils in Scotland contain ~3000Mt C Peatlands contain 53% of Scottish carbon

store Scottish peatlands may accumulate up to 0.4

Mt C per year – if in good condition... Floods Act requires sustainable approach to

flood management Restoring peatlands can help to mitigate

climate change by improving carbon storage

Work with SEARs partners to minimise carbon loss from all organic soils/peatland usages Agriculture Hydro schemes Wind farms

Wind Farms - Various problems arise when a wind farm is located on peat; Changes to hydrology (drainage/flooding) Run-off, silt control Uncertain terrain – variable peat depth Excavated peat – suitable use?

SEPA is working with SEARs partners, the Scottish Renewables Forum, and the wind farm industry to find solutions to the various problems (including waste peat)

Ongoing projects; ‘Good practice guidance for wind farm

construction’ – workshop in May 09, draft documents produced

Series of meetings with SEARs partners and members of the wind farm industry to discuss problems and identify solutions