Strategic Environmental Assessment
Step One - SEA Screening
Has your policy area carried out a pre-screening/screening for a SEA in its development?
No
If no, SEA screening process has been conducted, could you please provide a brief summary of your policy
Decarbonisation of the public sector fleet. Aiming to remove the ICE cars and vans first then heavier vehicles as appropriate technology and financial models are available.
Provide a brief summary of the likely environmental consequences of your policy
Reduced emissions from public sector fleet vehicles. Current emissions from public sector fleet were estimated at 254,343 tCO2e in 2025. By implementing the Public Sector Fleet Decarbonisation Action Plan and if its target is met this is estimated to be 111,607 tCO2e by 2035 and 0 tCO2e by 2040.
Indirectly supporting installation of charging and refuelling infrastructure with the potential to be shared between a range of organisations and potentially individuals is likely to indirectly deliver additional emission reductions.
Installation of infrastructure associated with public sector zero emission vehicles will be at depots and other sites where the public sector currently store and operate fleet vehicles, there will be limited environmental impact related to installation of EV charging infrastructure. Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is unlikely to be installed by or provided specifically for use of the public sector, there will be limited additional environmental impact as a result of this policy.
There will be potential additional benefits related to end-of-life use of zero emission vehicles where these can provide alternative uses that support ongoing and additional emission reductions.
Provide a brief summary of how environmental principles have been considered in the development of your policy
Considering targeting actions that will help to remove the most polluting cars and vans from the public sector fleet, considering operating models that minimise waste and considering second life and end of life options for public sector owned vehicles.
Aiming to maximise the potential for collaboration and aggregation of demand, encouraging EV charging behaviour / practices that minimises the need for significant grid upgrades and continuing to monitor developments in technology that provide additional options to minimise environmental impact (e.g. load balanced or temporary charging solutions where appropriate to provide for short term peak demand).
Considering fleet rationalisation and encouraging behaviour change to move to more sustainable transport options where appropriate and possible.
Have any of the components of your plan been considered in previous SEA work?
Yes - Scotland's draft Climate Change Plan: 2026-2040: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report - gov.scot November 2025
Step Two - Evidence Gathering
If a full SEA has been conducted for your policy area, please provide a link to this. If no SEA has been conducted please answer the questions in the next table.
Not applicable
If a full SEA has been conducted for your policy, when was this carried out and has there been any unintended environmental impacts since publication?
Not applicable
What monitoring process do you currently have in place?
Progress towards a decarbonised fleet is monitored along with associated emission reductions as in the Climate Change Plan 2026-2031.
Is the data included in your SEA still relevant for the next stage of your policy’s implementation?
Not applicable
Do you intend to carry out further environmental assessments in future?
No.
Consider each of the following themes and outline significant effects which are likely to occur from your policy:
Climatic Factors / Emissions Reduction
Policy aim is to reduce emissions from the public sector fleet. Current emissions from public sector fleet were 254,343 tCO2e in 2025, by following the proposed strategy and if targets are met this is estimated to be 111,607 tCO2e by 2035 and 0 tCO2e by 2040.
Air
Policy will deliver air quality improvements by transitioning the fleet from ICE vehicles to Zero Emission Vehicles. Use of heavier vehicles may result in greater tyre wear, but less brake dust and other pollutants
Water
Negligible.
Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna
No significant impact
Cultural Heritage and the Historic Environment
No significant impact (fleet infrastructure very unlikely to be installed at sites of cultural or historic importance). Potential benefit on air quality and noise through operation of zero emission vehicles within public sector fleet representing cultural heritage and historic environment such as Historic Environment Scotland.
Landscape
No significant impact – vehicle operations not significantly different. Zero emission vehicle infrastructure expected to be installed at existing fleet depots and carparks of other public bodies.
Material Assets (waste, energy, transport and land use)
Some impact – vehicles have a greater residual value associated with batteries that have potential for use beyond the life of the vehicle. Generally less risk of pollutants entering the environment as a result of operating or maintaining zero emission vehicles.
New infrastructure will be required for zero emission vehicles, however this would be expected to be installed at existing fleet depots, other public sector buildings or for vehicles to use the existing public charging networks.
Step Three - Sign Off
ICIA authorised by (DD level or above)
Morna Cannon, Director, Environment, Climate and Sustainable Directorate
10 August 2026