| Aims of the Policy |
|---|
| What is the purpose of the policy (or the changes made to the policy)? | The Scottish Government is committed to Scotland playing its part in the international effort to reduce the impact of climate change – and thereby address the global inequalities which climate change will inflict on the most vulnerable countries and communities across the world. In support of this, the Scottish Government has committed to reduce targeted greenhouse gas emissions from sources in Scotland by 80% by 2050. In order to ensure this and future administrations take the necessary action to achieve a reduction of 80% by 2050, the Scottish Government will introduce a Scottish Climate Change Bill: this will introduce a framework which will ensure Government takes immediate and sustained action to reduce emissions over the next 40 years. Scotland will also continue to contribute to UK emission reduction targets, agreed as part of wider International and European emission reduction frameworks, as well as the UK Climate Change Bill.
[Note:- where appropriate, given the global nature of climate change, a distinction will be drawn as between the global policy effort and Scotland’s national policy effort.]
It should also be noted that, in addition to the overarching framework to ensure these reduction occur, certain measures which will enable Scottish Ministers to reduce emissions will also be included in the Bill. These include muirburn, energy efficiency, improving the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings, waste management, and the forestry sector. These have been consulted on separately. However, where applicable, they have been included in this EQIA which will be updated if it is deemed necessary. Additional EQIAs have been undertaken on issues such as energy efficiency. |
|---|
| Who is affected by the policy or who is intended to benefit from the proposed policy and how? | Each individual, whether in a private or public capacity, could potentially be affected by the global policy under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and by national policy - and could potentially benefit from these policies to a greater or lesser degree.
Action taken to ensure Scotland’s targeted greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 80% by 2050 will potentially have profound effects on individuals, businesses and other organisations. The action taken to meet the requirements placed on Government by the Bill could help to move Scotland down the pathway towards a low-carbon economy, with implications for the employment opportunities of individuals. It will potentially necessitate reductions in emissions across all sectors including transport, energy production, waste management housing, and agriculture. The Bill will also potentially drive forward action which will change lifestyle choices. The potential impacts of these future policies will vary greatly across sectors and communities.
In addition, the benefits of mitigating climate change through global policy, of which Scotland’s policy is just one part, are large. Climate change could result in numerous severe impacts, including drought and famine, severe weather, and flooding. These risks increase not just at the global level, but also in Scotland, as temperatures rise. Climate change mitigation globally will reduce the risks for Scotland and the world.
The Bill will include provisions to support climate change adaptation (adapting to the impacts of climate change which are unavoidable). Adaptation measures will also potentially impact on people’s lives through, for example, changes in infrastructure. Adaptation measures will reduce the risks associated with climate change largely bringing direct benefits for Scottish society as a whole and for individuals. |
|---|
| How has the policy been, or will be put into practice, and who is or will be responsible for delivering it? | The first stage of the national policy has been to develop and consult on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill. Discussions with key stakeholders informed the development of this consultation. There was a widely-publicised full public consultation, consisting of a written document (published on the Government’s website and available as hard copy) and four consultation events held to engage directly with stakeholders. The information gained from the consultation was considered and a Bill was drafted for introduction into the Scottish Parliament before the end of 2008. It should be noted, however, that the Bill will contain certain measures on climate change which were not included in this consultation, notably on muirburn, energy efficiency, improving the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings, waste management, and the forestry estate. These issues have been or are being consulted on separately.
The second stage will consist of the implementation of individual policies to reach the 80% target in 2050. These policies will be implemented over the years up until 2050. It is these national policy measures which will affect people. The areas most likely to be affected by these policies include, housing, energy (production and use), waste management, transport and the wider economy. The Scottish Government will be responsible for delivering the initial policies with a variety of agencies and bodies responsible for implementing them now and in the future.
The framework introduced by the Bill will include provisions for independent (and publicly available) advice to be provided to Scottish Government. As part of this advice, there will be a requirement to state how conclusions were reached, particularly on which factors the advice is based on, and the potential policies available for Government to implement. |
|---|
| How does the policy fit into the Scottish Executive's wider or related policy initiatives? | This national policy fits into the wider objectives of the Scottish Government, particularly Wealthier and Fairer, Greener and Healthier. It sits inside the framework of the Government Economic Strategy, supports Strategic Outcome Agreements with local authorities, and is in line with a wide variety of policies which impact on emissions of greenhouse gases or policies which the impacts of climate change will affect.
Policies or measures which are already in place to help achieve the Bill’s emission reduction target and are most relevant to people and equalities issues include:
• Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration: A Strategy for Scotland
• Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative
• Building regulations (business)
• Increasing recycling rates
• Building Regulation Scotland 2007 (households)
• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (households, business and public sector);
• Energy Efficiency Commitment
• Scottish Housing Quality Standard
• Scottish Government Fuel Poverty Programmes
• Reduced VAT on energy saving materials
• Home Energy Conservation Act
• Smart Metering
• Energy Performance Certificates
• Fuel Duty Escalator
• Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty
• Emissions reduction policies in Scotland’s National Transport Strategy
• The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
In addition, EQIAs have been completed or will be on the following related issues:
• Action on Climate Change: Improving the Energy Performance of Existing Non-domestic Buildings
• Energy Efficiency
• Strategic Housing Investment Framework
• Flood Risk Management Bill
• Recommendations of the Fuel Poverty Forum on the future of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Programmes (EQIA underway)
• Smarter Choices (transport) programme (EQIA underway)
There is a wide range of possible individual policy measures which this and future administrations may implement to meet the target. The candidate measures most relevant to this impact assessment include, but are not limited to (please note this does not imply Government support for any of these initiatives):
• Increase in renewable microgeneration
• Building regulations to require less carbon in refurbished commercial buildings
• Ban on disposal of biodegradable waste in landfill by 2040, with concomitant increase in re-use, recycling and recovery
• Reduction in CO2 emissions in new housing
• Further measures to improve insulation of existing buildings
• Road pricing with emissions element
• Tightened passenger car CO2 limits
• Encourage uptake of low emission vehicles (existing and new technologies – HGVs, bus, rail, cars, LGVs)
• ‘Smarter Choices’ (transport) modal shift to public transport and active travel |
|---|
| Have the resources for the policy been allocated? | No |
|---|
| What's known about the diverse needs of the target audience? |
|---|
| Is there information on Age? | Yes |
|---|
| Age - Evidence | Evidence
A large number of statistics are collected on age. This includes the Scottish Household Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4031) and the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2005-06 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SHCS). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0).
Further information on fuel poverty is available in the Review of Fuel Poverty 2008 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/FP/fuelpovertyreview). Further information on flooding risk is contained in the report Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding in Scotland (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/04/02121350/0).
Key evidence
Flooding:
An increased risk of flooding is one of the main impacts of a changing climate. Information in the report, Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding, indicates that elderly residents at risk of flooding may suffer a disproportionate impact due to associated social and financial factors.
Transport:
Transport is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The Scottish Household Survey shows the proportion of people with a full driving license increases markedly up until the age group 30 to 39 then starts to decline after the age group 40 to 49. Conversely, the Survey shows pensioners are more likely to use local bus service than other adults (though they are less likely to use train services). The Survey shows little difference in access to buses across all households, regardless of age.
Fuel poverty:
Energy – its generation and usage – are key areas from which emission reductions will be sought. The Review of Fuel Poverty in Scotland, published 22 May 2008, indicates that around half of pensioner households in private homes were estimated to be fuel poor in 2005-06 (this proportion is higher amongst those 80+ compared to those between 60 and 80) compared to just over a tenth of non-pensioner households. Two-fifths of older smaller households were fuel poor. It should also be noted that a ‘satisfactory heating regime’ for the main living area in the home for all pensioners aged 60 upwards is regarded as being that the room must reach a temperature of 23oC for 16 hours/day, 7 days/week. This is a more demanding requirement than for non-pensioner households, where the requirement is 21 oC for 9 hours/day weekdays and 16 hours/day weekends.
Waste:
The Scottish Household Survey indicates that recycling rates rise with age before falling in the 75+ age category. |
|---|
| Age - Consultation | Consultation
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the Bill consultation publication to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation:
• Help the Aged (Scotland)
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
• Help the Aged
• Scottish Youth Parliament
• Young Scot
The following equalities question was asked in the formal consultation document:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
Other:
Responses to the consultation mentioned the need to consider how climate change issues are communicated across age groups and also noted that some people, depending on age, will be less able to tackle their own climate change impacts. |
|---|
| Is there information on Disability? | Yes |
|---|
| Disability - Evidence | Evidence
A large number of statistics are collected on disability. This includes the Scottish Household Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4031) and the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2005-06 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SHCS). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0).
Further is available in the Review of Fuel Poverty 2008 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/FP/fuelpovertyreview), the Social Focus on Disability 2004 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2004/08/19819/41697), and Transport Provision for Disabled People: Progress since 1998 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2004/07/19591/39825). Further information on flooding risk is contained in the report Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding in Scotland (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/04/02121350/0).
Key evidence
Flooding:
Information in the report, Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding, indicates that flooding may disproportionately affect people with disabilities due to personal circumstances and long term impacts.
Transport:
The Scottish Household Survey indicates that significantly fewer people 17+ with a disability or long-term illness have a full driving license compared to those who report no disability/long-term illness (44% vs. 72%). Conversely, the Survey indicates that those with a disability or long-term illness are more likely to use a local bus service (though less likely to use the train). While there is no noticeable difference between those with a disability/long-term illness and those with none in terms of the possibility of using public transport for journey’s to work/school/college/university, a much larger proportion of those with a disability/long-term illness cite health reasons as the main reason for not being able to use public transport (5.7% vs. 0.1%). Responses to the consultation highlighted that increased public transport may improve the quality of life for those with limited mobility. They also noted concern about the disproportionate adverse impacts of transport penalties on those with mobility impairment if public transport is not a suitable alternative.
Waste:
The Survey indicates lower rates of recycling amongst those with a disability, long-term illness or health problem, compared to those without.
|
|---|
| Disability - Consultation | Consultation/Involvement
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the Bill consultation publication to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following equalities question was asked in the formal Bill consultation document:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
Other:
Responses to the consultation mentioned the need to consider how climate change issues are communicated to specific groups and also noted that some people will be less able to tackle their own climate change impacts.
|
|---|
| Is there information on Faith/Religious Belief? | Yes |
|---|
| Faith/Religious Belief - Evidence | Evidence
Certain statistics are collected on religion and belief. This includes the Scottish Household Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4031). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0).
Key evidence
No significant factors identified at this time.
|
|---|
| Faith/Religious Belief - Consultation | Consultation
A meeting between Scottish Ministers and officials with a group of faith leaders in their role with development agencies took place.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the Bill consultation publication to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation on the Bill:
• Action of the Churches Together in Scotland
• Scottish Inter-Faith Council
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
• Action of the Churches Together in Scotland
• Catholic Parliamentary Office
• Church of Scotland
• Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office
• Scottish Inter-Faith Council
• Scottish Episcopal Church
In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth met with three major faith group leaders, albeit in their roles with development agencies (SCIAF, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief) in July 2008 to discuss the Bill and other climate change-related issues.
The following equalities question was asked in the formal consultation document on the Bill:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
|
|---|
| Is there information on Gender? | Yes |
|---|
| Gender - Evidence | Evidence
A large number of statistics are collected on gender. This includes the Scottish Household Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4031). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0).
Further information is available in Social Focus on Women and Man 2002 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/sfwm/docs/sfwm-00.asp). Further information on flooding risk is contained in the report Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding in Scotland (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/04/02121350/0).
Key evidence
Flooding:
Information in the report, Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding, indicates that lone parent families (significantly larger proportion of which are women) at risk of flooding may suffer a disproportionate impact due to associated social and financial factors.
Transport:
The Scottish Household Survey indicates that women are more likely to use local bus services than men. Conversely, a much larger proportion of men cite needing a car for/at work as the main reason for being unable to use public transport (24.7% vs. 15.7%).
Waste:
The Survey shows no real difference in recycling rates between men and women.
|
|---|
| Gender - Consultation | Consultation
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the consultation publications to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation on the Bill:
• Scottish Women's Rural Institute
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following equalities question was asked in the formal Bill consultation document:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
|
|---|
| Is there information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)? | Yes |
|---|
| LGBT - Consultation | Evidence
No information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered persons is collected by the Scottish Government in relation to housing, income, energy, transport and waste. Statistics are rarely collected on administrative data collections, partially as it is difficult to establish a robust sample frame.
|
|---|
| LGBT - Evidence | Consultation
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the Bill consultation publication to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following equalities question was asked in the formal consultation document on the Bill:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
No views were expressed during the consultation that climate change issues will disproportionately affect LGBT persons.
|
|---|
| Is there information on Race? | Yes |
|---|
| Race - Evidence | Evidence
Certain statistics are collected on race. This includes the Scottish Household Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4031). Much of the equalities related statistics are compiled in the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006 (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/20102424/0).
Key evidence
Transport:
The Scottish Household Survey indicates that minority ethnic groups as a whole are significantly less likely to have a driving license than white ethnic groups (please note that the small sample size for minority ethnic groups has a higher degree of sampling error).
Other:
Responses to the consultation mentioned the need to consider how climate change issues are communicated to specific groups and also specifically mentioned possible linguistic and cultural barriers to understanding climate change issues which may require culturally appropriate services.
|
|---|
| Race = Consultation | Consultation
The Equality and Human Rights Commission was contacted three months prior to the Bill consultation publication to discuss its contents.
The following organisations were notified about the Scottish Government consultation on the Bill:
• Black & Ethnic Minority Infrastructure in Scotland
• Black Environment Network
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
The following organisations were invited to a Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
• Black Environment Network
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations
The following equalities question was asked in the formal consultation document on the Bill:
What are the equalities implications of the measures in the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill?
The following questions were asked at the Scottish Government consultation event on the Bill:
What factors should be taken into account when setting the level of emissions budgets? - Are there particular sectors or groups of individuals that are likely to be disproportionally affected by the Bill? If so, who are they and what are the likely effects?
How can the Bill account for and mitigate any differences to create a more equitable (i.e. socially) framework e.g. in the setting of budgets etc?
The consultation document, responses to it, reports on each consultation event, and a report on the full analysis of all aspects of the consultation are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/16327/Climate-Change-Bill/SCCBConsultation.
|
|---|
| Is there enough information to help understand the needs and/or experiences of the target audience regarding: |
|---|
| Age? | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | The evidence available on age groups for the main policy areas impacted by climate change and climate change mitigation (transport, energy, waste, flooding, etc.) is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. The future work of the Scottish Environmental Attitudinal and Behavioural Survey will provide further information on age and may identify differential experiences and responses to climate change drivers – these may signal a requirement for more in depth research. |
|---|
| Disability? | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | The evidence available on people with disabilities for the main policy areas impacted by climate change and climate change mitigation (transport, energy, waste, flooding, etc.) is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. The future work of the Scottish Environmental Attitudinal and Behavioural Survey will provide further information on people with disabilities and may identify differential experiences and responses to climate change drivers – these may signal a requirement for more in depth research. |
|---|
| On Faith/Religious Belief | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | The evidence available on religion and belief for the main policy areas impacted by climate change and climate change mitigation (transport, energy, etc.) is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. |
|---|
| Gender? | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | The evidence available on gender for the main policy areas impacted by climate change and climate change mitigation (transport, energy, waste, flooding, etc.) is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. The future work of the Scottish Environmental Attitudinal and Behavioural Survey will provide further information on gender and may identify differential experiences and responses to climate change drivers – these may signal a requirement for more in depth research. |
|---|
| On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender? | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | While no statistics have been collected, there is enough confidence that further information is not required at this time. |
|---|
| Race? | Yes |
|---|
| If not, what other information is needed? | The evidence available on race for the main policy areas impacted by climate change and climate change mitigation (transport, energy, waste, etc.) is sufficient and will continue to be collected on an ongoing basis. The future work of the Scottish Environmental Attitudinal and Behavioural Survey will provide further information on race and may identify differential experiences and responses to climate change drivers – these may signal a requirement for more in depth research. |
|---|
| What does the information given say about how this policy might impact positively or negatively on the different groups within the target audience? |
|---|
| On Age | Flooding:
Information in the report, Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding, indicates that elderly residents at risk of flooding may suffer a disproportionate impact due to associated social and financial factors. The Bill will drive forward action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, although it will be the success of global policy which will reduce the associated risks, which may have a slight proportionately positive impact on the elderly.
Transport:
The Bill will drive forward action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, which could lead to the possibility of an increase in public transport availability. This may have a slight positive impact on those in younger and older age groups proportionately. Every effort will be made to ensure that action to mitigate and adapt to climate change complements action being taken to improve air quality, where the most positive effect is on the more vulnerable younger and older age groups.
Fuel poverty:
Increases in fuel costs may affect those in pensioner households proportionately more in a negative way. However, the Bill, in driving forward action to mitigate climate change, may result in greater energy efficiency measures which may affect those in pensioner households proportionately more positively.
Waste:
It is unlikely that any measures to be taken in connection with waste provisions of the Bill would have particular implications for older age groups.
Other:
Some people, depending on age, will be less able to tackle their own contribution to climate change. As well, in taking forward future measures to mitigate climate change, communication strategies will need to take age into consideration.
|
|---|
| On Faith/Religious Belief | There were no significant issues in the available data. |
|---|
| On Gender | Flooding:
Information in the report, Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding, indicates that lone parent families at risk of flooding may suffer a disproportionate impact due to associated social and financial factors. The Bill will drive forward action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, which may have a slight indirect positive impact on women proportionately, although it will be the success of global policy which will reduce the associated risks.
Transport:
The Bill will drive forward action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, which could lead to the possibility of an increase in public transport availability. This may have a slight proportionately positive impact for women, due to their higher use of public transport. However, the Bill could result in the need for schemes which will penalise the use of private transport, which could have a slight proportionately negative impact for men, due to their higher use of private vehicles for their jobs (i.e. freight, delivery, trades). The proportion of active travel trips is expected to increase.
|
|---|
| On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender | No data is available. |
|---|
| On Race | Transport:
The Bill will drive forward action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, which could lead to the possibility of an increase in public transport availability. This may have a slight proportionately positive impact for some non-white ethnic groups.
Other:
In taking forward future measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, communication strategies will need to take these issues into consideration.
|
|---|
| Will there be any changes to the policy? |
|---|
| On Age | Yes |
|---|
| On Faith | Yes |
|---|
| On Gender | Yes |
|---|
| On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender | Yes |
|---|
| On Race | Yes |
|---|
| Comments | Early on in the EQIA process which began in September 2007, it became apparent that it was possible that the proposals for the Bill could have a differential impact on certain equality strands. Therefore, a decision was made that the Bill would include provisions to take account of equal opportunities when carrying out functions under the act. Parties responsible for carrying out functions under the act, such as the Scottish Government and a future source of independent advice (such as the UK Committee on Climate Change, a Scottish Committee on Climate Change, or another existing public body) will need to take this duty into account. This will take place on an ongoing basis throughout the lifespan of the Bill, such as when formulating policies to meet emissions reduction targets or the setting of those targets. |
|---|
| Does the policy provide the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity or good relations by altering the policy or working with others? |
|---|
| On Age? | No |
|---|
| Age - Comments | |
|---|
| On Disability? | No |
|---|
| Disability - Comments | |
|---|
| On Faith? | No |
|---|
| Faith - Comments | |
|---|
| On Gender? | No |
|---|
| Gender - Comments | |
|---|
| On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)? | No |
|---|
| LGBT - Comments | |
|---|
| On Race? | No |
|---|
| Race - Comments | |
|---|
| Level of relevance to the policy, based on the work that has been done |
|---|
| Age | Medium |
|---|
| Disability | Medium |
|---|
| Faith | Low |
|---|
| Gender | Medium |
|---|
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender | Unknown |
|---|
| Race | Low |
|---|
| Does a further assessment need to be done? |
|---|
| On Age? | No |
|---|
| On Disability? | No |
|---|
| On Faith? | No |
|---|
| On Gender? | No |
|---|
| On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender? | No |
|---|
| On Race? | No |
|---|
| Comments if a further assessment is needed? | |
|---|
| Comments if no further assessment is needed? | While no further impact assessment is required for the proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill, the Bill includes provisions to take account of equal opportunities when carrying out functions under the act. Parties responsible for carrying out functions under the act, such as the Scottish Government and a future source of independent advice (such as the UK Committee on Climate Change, a Scottish Committee on Climate Change, or another existing public body) will need to take this duty into account. This will take place on an ongoing basis throughout the lifespan of the Bill, such as when formulating policies to meet emissions reduction targets or the setting of those targets. |
|---|
| How will this policy/function be monitored and evaluated to ensure there are acceptable outcomes for all? |
|---|
| Comments | Most of the relevant data is collected on an ongoing basis through the Scottish Household Survey. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this in relation to policies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. In addition, The future work of the Scottish Environmental Attitudinal and Behavioural Survey will provide further information on age, disability, gender, and race and may identify differential experiences and responses to climate change drivers – these may signal a requirement for more in depth research.
The Living with Environmental Change (LWEC) initiative has as a part of its seven objectives, “to help people from different cultural and social backgrounds respond to a changing environment.” The Scottish Government will follow the research initiatives within this objective workstream, eliciting salient research findings for diversity and religion and beliefs in Scotland. Additionally, the forthcoming UK Research Centre for Sustainable Behaviours (estimated start in April 2009) is likely to produce detailed knowledge as the cultural and social dimensions of adapting to climate change and of people helping meet Scotland’s climate change targets.
The Bill includes provisions to take account of equal opportunities when carrying out functions under the act. Parties responsible for carrying out functions under the act, such as the Scottish Government and a future source of independent advice (such as the UK Committee on Climate Change, a Scottish Committee on Climate Change, or another existing public body) will need to take this duty into account. This will take place on an ongoing basis throughout the lifespan of the Bill, such as when formulating policies to meet emissions reduction targets or the setting of those targets.
|
|---|