Island Communities Impact Assessment
Step One - Develop a clear understanding of your objectives
What are the objectives of the policy, strategy or service?
Decarbonisation of the public sector fleet, reducing emissions and improving air quality.
What are the intended impacts/ outcomes and how do these potentially differ across the islands?
Transition of the public sector road based fleet from petrol and diesel to zero emission vehicles. Will deliver progress towards Scottish Government climate change targets by reducing transport emissions. Impacts do not differ across the islands.
Is this a new strategy or outcome?
This is not a new strategy (PfG 2019 established the ambition to decarbonise the public sector fleet and this has been included in the Climate Change Plan 2026-2031).
How are islands identified for the purpose of this policy?
The policy applies to all public sector bodies, including those based in Scotland’s islands and national bodies operating in Scotland’s islands
Step Two - Gather your Data and Identify your Stakeholders
What data is available about the current situation in the islands?
Public sector fleet analysis undertaken since 2020 that identified progress towards decarbonisation of the public sector fleet.
Who are your key Stakeholders?
Key stakeholders are the public sector and zero emission vehicle charging and refuelling suppliers (including local authorities).
How does any existing data differ between islands?
Data is based on a consistent approach across all of Scotland. There was some variation between different public bodies, but the core information is consistent.
Are there any existing design features or mitigations in place?
No specific mitigations in place, the policy, including the national public sector fleet emission reduction target, applies equally to islands and mainland Scotland. The policy does allow for some pragmatism for emergency and frontline vehicles to ensure there is no negative operational impact based on the availability of suitable technology.
Step Three - Consultation
Is there information already gathered through previous engagements or consultations?
Public sector fleet analysis included qualitative information from public bodies.
How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales? (Public meetings/Local Authorities/key Stakeholders)
The draft Public Sector Fleet Decarbonisation Action Plan is subject to a three-month technical consultation with EST leading engagement with stakeholders, including public bodies based and operating on the islands through 6 workshops.
What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities and is it robust and sufficient enough to comply with the section 7 duty?
Depending on the island / islands, availability of technology and access to zero emission vehicle charging and refuelling infrastructure within island communities may be perceived as a barrier.
Have any concerns been raised through previous consultations with Island Communities?
No.
Step Four - Assessment
Have you considered what the potential barriers and wider impacts might be on island communities and how you aim to address these?
Insurance barrier for any EVs that can’t be maintained locally and require ferry transportation onto the mainland. This issue is a reserved matter to the UK Government.
Economies of scale more challenging to deliver in island environments therefore making collaboration between public bodies even more important
Existing fleet operating models need to be reviewed when considering associated infrastructure requirements, including shared fleet and charging infrastructure.
Opportunity to aggregate demand for infrastructure across and beyond the public sector.
Positive benefits for local employment / skills related to maintenance of vehicles and associated infrastructure
Benefit related to local use of curtailed renewables
Resilience risks associated with reliance on electricity grids for power / fuel (although islands already have resilience risks associated with supply of e.g. diesel).
Are the differences (if any) that you have identified significantly different for the Island community compared to the mainland or other islands?
Insurance barrier for any EVs that can’t be maintained locally and require ferry transportation onto the mainland. This issue is a reserved matter to the UK Government.
Have you considered if any effects amount to a disadvantage for an island community compared to the mainland or other island groups?
No
Are there mitigations already in place for any impacts raised?
No mitigations available within Scottish Government jurisdiction. Any specific island concerns can be raised through the consultation period or after if any barriers are identified.
Do you feel as though a full Islands Impact Assessment is required for your policy? (it is essential that team leaders and unit heads are involved at this stage along with analysts)
No – no specific island concerns have been raised. A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is NOT required.
In preparing the ICIA, I have formed an opinion that our policy, strategy or service is NOT likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities). The reason for this is detailed below
The transition of public sector fleet vehicles from ICE to ZEV is unlikely to have an effect on an island community that is significantly different to other areas of Scotland because vehicles will be transitioned where the purchase price and operational capacity of ZEV options are broadly equivalent to existing ICE vehicles.
ICIA authorised by (DD level or above)
Morna Cannon, Director, Environment, Climate and Sustainable Directorate
10 August 2026