10 by understanding environmental and taking … · awareness & participation by understanding...

10Environmentalawareness &participation

By understanding consequences of our actions and taking ownership, we can all reduce our impacts and improve the environment.

Being active outdoors, through informal recreation, leisure activities, pastimes, play, volunteering and learning, can play an important role in improving people’s physical and mental health.(1)

Scottish Canals Environment Strategy 2015-25

Theme 10: Environmental awareness & participation

[email protected] www.scottishcanals.co.uk

10 – 01

mailto:enquiries%40scottishcanals.co.uk?subject=Environment%20Strategy%20%E2%80%93%20Chapter%2010%20Enquiry

www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Why should we do this?




10 – 02

Our staff, partners and visitors can help us to make a differenceWe have just under one bank staff member for every three canal kilometres, so our own human resource for practical small scale environmental projects is limited, but there are over 22 million visits each year to our canals. By continuing to work in partnership with volunteer groups, our neighbours and visitors, we can improve the canal environment, harnessing ‘people power’ to take forward practical projects.

Our neighbours and visitors can also help to be our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, to help report any environmental incidents so that we can manage them appropriately.

Sharing environmental informationAs a public body, we have duties and responsibilities to share information about our environmental performance. Equally, we have a role to play in providing information to our many visitors to help them reduce their own impacts. Many of our customers and partners have an interest in our approach to environmental management and we receive regular customer requests for environmental information.

Canals are great places for learningAlmost one million people live within a mile of the Scottish Canal network. By promoting our canals as great ‘on your doorstep’ destinations for a broad range of informal and formal environmental education, we can contribute to the Scottish Government’s objective for a Smarter Scotland.(2)

Improve health and well-beingAccess to the outdoors and green spaces improves people’s health and well-being.(1) (3) Scottish Canals has the opportunity to contribute to this agenda and meet Scottish Government’s objective for a healthier Scotland.



Key drivers




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• Scottish Government National Performance Framework: Objectives: Smarter, Healthier and Greener and Outcomes: Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens; We live longer, healthier lives; We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others; We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production; We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations.(2)

• The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 which places a duty on every Scottish public authority to make environmental information available on request.(4)

• Scotland’s Land Use Strategy which makes the link between outdoor recreation and the provision of accessible green space close to where people live, and their importance for health and well-being.(5)



Key drivers




10 – 04

• Public sector sustainability reporting guidance. This non-mandatory guidance applies to a number of Scottish public bodies and provides a useful framework for reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, waste production, business travel, water use, biodiversity and sustainable procurement. This guidance does not currently apply to public corporations such as Scottish Canals.(6)

• Curriculum for excellence through outdoor learning which emphasises the massive potential for learning in the outdoor environment in urban and rural settings.(7)

• The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 requires all public bodies to make publicly available a report on their compliance with their biodiversity duty.(8)

• Guide to Citizen Science – developing, implementing and evaluating citizen science to study biodiversity and the environment in the UK.(9)

• Scottish Canals Corporate Plan which commits to exploiting our assets to maximise social, environmental and economic benefits In particular, it states that we want more people to enjoy these assets and benefit from the positive impact on health.(10)

• Scottish Canals’ governance documents, including Communications Strategy and Environmental Information Requests Policy.

• Third party environmental engagement activities e.g. Scottish Natural Heritage – Simple pleasures programme which features guides for getting out and about on the canal network.(11)






10 – 05

Status traffic light

Amber means: We are already

active in this area but there is room for

improvement.

Sharing environmental informationWeb informationScottish Canals’ website www.scottishcanals.co.uk, public area provides information about our approach to environmental management and details of wildlife and habitats on the canal network. In the staff area of the website, colleagues can find contact details for their in-house environmental advisers and regulators, download environmental governance documents, learn from tool box talks on topics from bats to pollution prevention, catch up on news and see our top tips for responsible environmental management.

What are we doing now? Our baseline







10 – 06


Sustainability, biodiversity duty andwater use reportingAs a public corporation, we are not currently required to publish information as per Scottish Government Public Sector Sustainability Reporting guidance on our greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, waste production, business travel, water use and sustainable procurement(6). As part of our new approach to environmental information sharing, we plan to report on this in future. Our first compliance with our biodiversity duty report can be found here. We report our raw water use annually to SEPA. (See Theme 2)

Other information sharingWe have responded to two formal requests for environmental information from our partners and customers in the last three years.

Our principal environmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to report progress to the executive team is regarding carbon emissions. We plan to develop further appropriate KPIs as part of this Strategy.

Environmental information is also shared via in situ interpretation panels, through the media (tv, radio, printed and electronic press) and via various stakeholder forums e.g. Canal User group meetings and Lowland Canals volunteer group.

We work closely with environmental regulators (e.g. Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA) and specialist environmental forums and share information to

improve our performance.

The Falkirk Wheel has attained the Green Business Tourism award Gold standard for its contribution to sustainable tourist destination management.(12)



https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/corporate/about-us/your-environment-and-heritage/environment-strategy/




10 – 07


Environmental awareness and educationTraining and awarenessScottish Canals’ environmental experts provide advice and our colleagues receive training on environmental issues via tool box talks, in-house or external learning events. In the last two years, staff members have received training on environmental appraisal of activities, environmental incident reporting, protected species, waste, hazardous substances, tree management, blue green algae and pesticide use. Signage is installed to encourage beneficial environmental behaviours e.g. ‘switch the light off when you leave’ signs.

Environment?……

Tell us what you think

Staff undertaking environmental opinion survey



A recent survey (2015) of staff attitudes to the environment helped the business to shape this Strategy. Key outcomes:

The public has numerous opportunities for informal and formal environmental education experiences on our waterways.(13) e.g. Eco-schools-linked activities delivered by Scottish Waterways Trust rangers, Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes activities on the Lowland Canals and research projects linked to universities and colleges. (See Theme 3)

Our customers are made aware of key environmental issues on the network via Scottish Canals’ and partner publications e.g. Boat Safety Scheme Essential Guide,(14) Scottish Canals Towpath Code,(15) The Green Blue green guide to practical inland boating,(16) Check Clean Dry campaign posters to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species.(17)




10 – 08


Question % of respondents Response (only top responses shown)

How important is 100% Very important looking after the environment to you?

Why do you think that 93% Reduce environmental impact environmental issues 89% Reputation are important to 79% Legal compliance Scottish Canals? 79% Quality of life 71% Save resources

What environmental 93% Carbon footprint issues should be 82% Energy efficiency important for 78% Environmental awareness & Scottish Canals? participation (Tick all that apply) 75% Water pollution 71% Renewable energy






10 – 09


Active participationPractical environmental projectsScottish Canals works closely with the charity, the Scottish Waterways Trust (SWT) to facilitate volunteer projects which enhance the canal environment. In 2014, 430 people took part in wildlife surveys and other conservation activities. Since June 2013, 165 disadvantaged 16-25 year olds gained practical heritage and environment management training via SWT’s Canal college project.(18)

Health and well-beingThrough informal access and guided visits, our customers have had the opportunity to improve their health and well-being. For example, 3,390 adults and children had the opportunity to improve their health by going on a SWT guided walk or canal ride in 2014. People in Glasgow have the chance to get fit on our new trim trail, wave boarding area or Paddle Sports Centre.

In recent years, canal societies, the Lowland Canal Volunteer Group and Adopt a Canal groups, companies taking part in Corporate Social Responsibility events and many other voluntary groups have made an invaluable contribution to maintenance of the canal environment.

Behaviour changeScottish Canals has participated in the World Wide Fund for Nature’s annual Earth Hour to encourage positive environmental behaviour by switching lights off at the Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies.

WWF Earth Hour at the Kelpies






What are we doing to increase environmental awareness & participation?

• We keep a watching brief on environmental trends and respond to them appropriately.

• We work closely with environmental regulators and specialist environmental forums to learn, share and improve our performance.

• Listen to our colleagues, partners and customers to understand which environmental issues are most important to them.

• We continue to work closely with the Scottish Waterways Trust to provide more opportunities to improve and benefit from the environment of the Scottish Canals’ network, through health and well-being visits and learning experiences.

10 – 10






10 – 11

What will we do?We plan to foster increased ownership and use of our canal environment so that our staff, partners and customers can become canal custodians and feel better by visiting, learn from, actively improve or simply enjoy it.

Strategic aims10S.1 Scottish Canals to share environmental

information with staff, partners and customers. 10S.2 Scottish Canals to provide opportunities for

environmental education.10S.3 Scottish Canals to provide opportunities

for practical involvement in environmental projects.

10S.4 Scottish Canals to empower staff to contribute to environmental management through improved environmental knowledge and responsibility.

10S.5 Scottish Canals to contribute to Scottish Government’s objective to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland.

Targets10T.1 Publish Scottish Canals’ annual sustainability

report from 2016.10T.2 Set up a network of Green Canal Champions

by Dec 16.10T.3 Deliver a citizen science project at least 1every

year (2016-25).10T.4 Meet targets for environmental information

sharing, education, practical project, health and well-being project delivery (to be set).

10T.5 Meet targets for staff engagement, energy reduction and environmental training (to be set).






10 – 12

References1. Scottish Natural Heritage. Building the evidence base. http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-recreation-and-access/healthier-scotland/building-the-evidence-base/. [Online] June 2014.

2. Scottish Government. National Performance Framework. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/933/0124202.pdf. [Online] December 2011.

3. SNIFFER. Greenspace and quality of life: a critical review. http://www.sniffer.org.uk/files/6513/4183/7991/UE2b_05_GR5_electronic.pdf. [Online] 2008?

4. Scottish Parliament. The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2004/520/contents/made. [Online] 2004.

5. Scottish Government. Getting the best from our land - A land use strategy for Scotland. http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/03/17091927/0. [Online] 2011.

6. Scottish Government. Public Sector Sustainability Reporting. http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/sustainabilityperformance/reporting/sustainabilityreporting. [Online] 2013.

7. Learning and Teaching Scotland. curriculum for excellence through outdoor learning. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/images/cfeoutdoorlearningfinal_tcm4-596061.pdf. [Online] 2010.

8. Scottish Parliament. Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/6/contents/enacted. [Online] 2011.

9. Tweddle, J.C., Robinson, L.D., Pocock, M.J.O. & Roy, H.E. Guide to citizen science: developing, implementing and evaluating citizen science to study biodiversity and the environment in the UK. http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/media/22605/Guide-to-Citizen-Science.pdf. [Online] 2012.

10. Scottish Canals. Corporate Plan 2014-17. http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/3423822/scottish%20canals%20corporate%20plan.pdf. [Online] 2014.

11. Scottish Natural Heritage. Simple pleasures. http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/simple-pleasures/routes-and-guides/. [Online] 2015.

12. Green Business UK/SEA Ltd. About Green Tourism. http://www.green-tourism.com/business/about/. [Online] 2015.

13. Scottish Canals. Education. http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/education. [Online] 2015.

14. Boat Safety Scheme. Boat Safety Scheme Essential Guide. http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/180428/bss%20guide%202005%20complete%20web.pdf. [Online] 2005.



http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-recreation-and-access/healthier-scotland/building



http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/933/0124202.pdf

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/933/0124202.pdf

http://www.sniffer.org.uk/files/6513/4183/7991/UE2b_05_GR5_electronic.pdf



http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2004/520/contents/made

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2004/520/contents/made

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/03/17091927

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/03/17091927

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/sustainabilityperformance/reporting/sustainabilityreporting

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/sustainabilityperformance/reporting/sustainabilityreporting

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/images/cfeoutdoorlearningfinal_tcm4-596061.pdf

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/images/cfeoutdoorlearningfinal_tcm4-596061.pdf

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/6/contents/enacted

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/6/contents/enacted

http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/media/22605/Guide-to-Citizen-Science.pdf



http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/3423822/scottish%20canals%20corporate%20plan.pdf



http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/simple-pleasures/routes

http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/simple-pleasures/routes

http://www.green-tourism.com/business/about

http://www.green-tourism.com/business/about

http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/education

http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/education

http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/180428/bss%20guide%202005%20complete%20web.pdf






10 – 13

References15. Scottish Canals. Share a Great Space Towpath Code of Conduct. http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/2743446/towpath%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf. [Online] 2013.

16. The Green Blue. The Green Guide to Inland Boating. http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk/PDF/Guide%20to%20Inland%20Boating.pdf. [Online] 2012.

17. GB Non-native species secretariat. Help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals in British waters. http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/. [Online] 2015.

18. Scottish Waterways Trust. Scotland’s first canal college beats targets, contributes almost £1m in volunteer time and concludes with a splash! http://scottishwaterwaystrust.org.uk/scotlands-first-canal-college-beats-targets-contributes-almost-1m-in-volunteer-time-and-concludes-with-a-splash/. [Online] 2015.



http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/2743446/towpath%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf

http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/2743446/towpath%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf

http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk/PDF/Guide%20to%20Inland%20Boating.pdf

http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk/PDF/Guide%20to%20Inland%20Boating.pdf

http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry

http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry

http://scottishwaterwaystrust.org.uk/scotlands

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