Environmental information

Information about Police Scotland’s commitments to being a sustainable police service.

In 2019, the Scottish Government passed legislation committing to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. This was alongside interim targets to reduce levels by 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.

As one of the largest public sector organisations in the country, Police Scotland will make a significant contribution to these targets, as we seek to reduce the impact of our operations and activity on the environment.

In the last five years, we have reduced our carbon emissions by just over 25%. We aim to build on that progress for a further 35% reduction by 2025, with the aim of becoming a net zero police service by 2045.

We recognise that energy used in heating and powering our estate, and in fuelling our fleet, are our primary sources of carbon emissions.

Sustainability is a key consideration with our estate management, in new police or shared accommodation, and when upgrading existing buildings. We are decarbonising our fleet, aiming to be the first and largest public sector fleet in the UK to operate fully with ultra-low emissions vehicles.

As we improve the efficiency of our buildings, we will also consider how we can increase the biodiversity of our surroundings. We will seek to generate our own energy and use renewable energy as an alternative.

An energy efficiency programme will support our people to work in a way that embeds environmental sustainability.

Our duty

As a major environmental player, Police Scotland has a legal duty to act in a sustainable way, reduce our carbon emissions and lay down a climate adaptation plan.

Police Scotland reports annually to Scottish Government on climate change through its Climate Change Public Bodies Duty Report.

We also have a duty to further the conservation of biodiversity and report to Scottish Government every three years on our biodiversity activities.

Our successes

We are proud of our record on sustainability and are aiming to build on these successes.

In 2023, we reported to Scottish Government that we have fallen below 40,000tCO2e carbon emissions for the first time in the services history.

Biodiversity Duty Report

Police Scotland and SPA Biodiversity Duty Report 2017-2020

Police Scotland and SPA Biodiversity Duty Report 2021-2023

Public Body Climate Change Duty Reports

Police Scotland submits two annual Public Body Climate Change Reports. The first is in the name of the Scottish Police Authority, and the second in the name of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland.

Our report in the name of the Scottish Police Authority contains all details and data. All reports are published on Sustainable Scotland Network.

SPA Climate Change Duty Report 2022-23

SPA Climate Change Duty Report 2021-22

SPA Climate Change Duty Report 2020-21