Scottish Environment Protection Agency

SEPA is Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, tasked with protecting and improving the country’s natural environment. It regulates activities that could cause pollution to air, water and land, including industrial processes, waste management and discharges from sewage works. The agency also monitors environmental quality, collecting data on pollutants, biodiversity and ecosystem health to inform policy and decision‑making. SEPA provides advice and guidance to businesses, public bodies and individuals on how to comply with environmental legislation and improve sustainability. In addition, it operates Scotland’s flood forecasting and warning service, delivering real‑time information to help communities prepare for and respond to flood events.

As a non‑departmental public body, SEPA works across the whole of Scotland, delivering its regulatory and advisory functions from a network of regional offices. Its remit covers all sectors that interact with the environment, from energy generation and manufacturing to agriculture, aquaculture and tourism. The agency’s work is underpinned by a strong scientific foundation, employing specialists in chemistry, biology, hydrology and ecology to assess risks and develop evidence‑based solutions. SEPA collaborates with other UK regulators, local authorities and international organisations to align standards and share best practice. Through its regulatory framework, it seeks to balance economic development with the long‑term protection of Scotland’s natural resources.

The incident on 24 December 2020 highlighted SEPA’s reliance on resilient information and communications technology, as the cyberattack disrupted its contact centre, internal systems and operational processes while critical services such as flood forecasting continued under business continuity arrangements. This event demonstrated the agency’s capacity to maintain essential functions despite significant IT disruption, reflecting its preparedness planning and operational resilience. SEPA’s regulatory role includes enforcing compliance with environmental permits, taking enforcement action when necessary and promoting pollution prevention through education and incentive schemes. It also contributes to Scotland’s climate change adaptation efforts by advising on sustainable land use and water management strategies. SEPA combines regulatory authority, scientific expertise and public service delivery to safeguard Scotland’s environment.