CAP 006-004
WS 2 Public benefits - Greening
Recent work under “Greening” has sought to assess the issue of “How green is Scotland”. Given the high proportion of areas of
natural constraint with large tracts of rough grazing and extensive farming that takes place there, some argue that Scotland must be
relatively more “green” than many other Member States. The table below assesses how Scotland is performing under a range of
national and EU indicators. We would welcome stakeholder comments on the relative greenness of Scotland.
How Green is Scotland? Performance against National
and EU indicators
Air quality
Scotland
or UK
Comments
Reduction in emission of oxides of nitrogen
Reduction in emission of CH4 (methane)
UK
UK
7th out of 32
2nd out of 32
Generally
Scotland
Below upper limits for 6 of the 11 pollutants identified in the Air Quality
Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and NI. Upper limits for particulate
matter (PM10), Nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone are being
exceeded in some (mainly urban) areas. Most air quality problems in
Scotland are a result of road traffic.
Benzine, 1, 3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen
oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Scotland
Targets being met
Nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur
dioxide
Scotland
Target not met - however this is mainly due to transport related air quality
issues in specific urban areas
CAP 006-004
Particulate matter (PM2.5)
Scotland
Target at risk of not being met
Ammonia
Scotland
Agriculture main contributor - accounts for 78% of the significant amount
of ammonia released in Scotland - most originates from livestock.
BOD (oxygen deficit) - river water
UK
4th from best
Ammonia in rivers
UK
9th from best out of 24 (85% of sample with < 0.25mg.l)
Nitrates in river water (2001)
Phosphates in rivers (2001)
UK
UK
not all from agriculture. 19th out of 24. (Increase in N and P in rivers 1992
- 2001; UK 2nd worst)
Not all from agriculture. UK 19th out of 24.
Scotland
Scotland's water environment has improved significantly. Over half
Scotland's waters currently meet European standard of good ecological
status. The number of water bodies of good or high ecological status in
Scotland is better than in England and Wales. Through implementation of
WFD most of Scotland's waters on target to reach standard by 2027.
However, diffuse pollution from agriculture now main threat to water
environment.
General
% of notified species in favourable condition
% of notified habitats in favourable condition
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
Mixed progress against 17 indicators which monitor state of biodiversity.
In 2009, seven indicators showed improvement, three showed
deterioration and four showed unclear trends. SG target for 95% of all
protected areas to be in favourable conditin by 2010 not met.
Indicator Improving (2009)
Indicator Improving (2009)
Increase in abundance terrestrial breeding birds
Increase in abundance wintering water birds
Increase in abundance breeding seabirds
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
Indicator Improving (2009)
Indicator Improving (2009)
Indicator Deteriorating (2009)
Water Quality
General
Biodiversity
CAP 006-004
Increase in abundance butterflies and moths
Improve diversity of vascular plants
Improve diversity of woodland structure
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
No clear trend (2009)
Indicator Deteriorating (2009)
No clear trend (2009)
Improve diversity of freshwater macro invertebrates
Improve diversity estuarine fish
Decrease number non-native species
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
Indicator Improving (2009)
Indicator Improving (2009)
Indicator Deteriorating (2009)
Gross nutrient balance (2005)
UK
8th out of 16 MS
Livestock density
Nitrogen consumption (per ha) 2007
UK
UK
11th out of 27 (almost the same ranking, but slightly higher than the EU
average for lu/fodder area)
13th out of 27 (around EU average)
Nitrogen
Scotland
Improving - overall decline in application rates especially since 2001. In
2009, N application rate = 84 kg/ha - reduction of 32% compared to 1995.
Plant protection products sold
UK
9th out o 19 - but with almost the highest proportion of grassland, so much
higher per unit arable.
Ammonia emitted from agriculture (2007)
UK
Nitrogen surplus (amount going in cf. amount taken out
UK
UK 22nd out of 27 even though emissions reduced by c.0.25%
(exceeding target). Reduction 14th out of 32
600,000Tin 1997 - lot for a small country but less than half the amount for
Denmark.
protected nature conservation sites
Scotland
Around 26% have features in unfavourable condition - in many cases as a
result of pressures associated with agriculture
Land Use
Climate change
CAP 006-004
Sources:
Audit Scotland - Protecting and improving Scotland's
environment
European Environment Agency
Scottish Government Website
SNH