On 8th October 2026
CIEEM has written to Gillian Martin, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs outlining our key concerns regarding the proposed merger of SEPA, NatureScot, Zero Waste Scotland, and potentially Scottish Forestry, in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government (PfG) for the 2026–31
The letter outlines the fundamentally different statutory functions of the organisations, including their respective regulatory and advisory roles, as well as their distinct operational responsibilities, stakeholder communities, funding models and governance arrangements.
Any proposed merger would have obvious implications for:
- delivery of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the Natural Environment Act;
- management of protected areas including National Nature Reserves;
- consenting and licensing;
- regulatory processes; and
- advisory functions.
The inevitable disruption and uncertainty will come at a time when Scotland needs to be fully focused on tackling biodiversity loss, improving environmental quality and responding to the climate emergency.