Scotland is facing mounting environmental problems. Many of our species are in decline, habitats are suffering, and our biodiversity is among the most depleted in the world.

These problems could all become worse as the climate crisis intensifies.

Sepa has often been criticised for not doing enough, and has faced a raft of difficulties in recent years. On top of the coronavirus pandemic, it was the victim of a serious cyber attack in December 2020, and lost its chief executive, Terry A’Hearn, in January 2022, following allegations of bullying and harassment.

Critics, both within and outwith Sepa, have begun to worry that the agency is losing its way, and that the environment is suffering as a result. When we revealed in July 2023 that Sepa had significantly cut its legal enforcement actions against polluters, those concerns grew.

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters