In its annual report on sustainability and action on climate change, it was revealed that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) failed to meet a third of its green targets.
The report revealed an increase in SEPA's greenhouse gas emissions in the past year and a failure to meet its targets for reducing transport and travel emissions. SEPA's failings mirror the performance of Scotland as a whole, which has missed its climate change goals for two years in a row.
SEPA chief executive James Curran said he understood that they must set a "strong example" to the public and businesses, but added, "We are still openly and honestly struggling with following our own greenhouse gas roadmap and keeping necessary pace with our target of an overall reduction in our emissions of 42 per cent by 2020."
SEPA's report for 2012-2013 showed the Agency did reach four out of the six environmental targets it had set €“ including waste, procurement and biodiversity. It also hit its recycling target nine months ahead of the national schedule.
Despite these achievements, the internal report shows the Agency has performed poorly over its carbon dioxide emissions targets.
Jamie McGrigor, Scottish Conservative environment spokesman, said, "At least SEPA is in good company, with the Scottish Government also missing these targets. While by its own admission being green isn't easy, it is disturbing that an organisation dedicated to the environment can€™t even hit its own targets."
For more information, see the:
