Scottish Low Emission Zones: Consultation on Regulations and Guidance

Closed 24 Feb 2020

Opened 13 Dec 2019

Feedback updated 7 Sep 2022

We asked

The consultation ‘Scotland’s Low Emission Zones: Consultation on Regulations and Guidance’ was undertaken between 13th December 2019 and 24th February 2020 and asked key questions relating to the policy development of Scottish Low Emission Zone regulations and guidance.

The consultation followed on from the consultation ‘Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones’ which was undertaken in 2017/18.

You said

In total, 306 responses were received for the consultation, with 72 responses from organisations (24%) and 234 responses from individuals (76%). The results can be found here. 

We did

The responses helped inform the development of The Low Emission Zone (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, and The Low Emission Zone (Scotland) Regulations 2021. These were subsequently made on 31 May 2021.

In addition, Low Emission Zone Guidance, a document intended as a guide for local authorities when creating, modifying or revocation, was published in October 2021.

Low Emission Zones have since been introduced into Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, with local grace periods applying. Enforcement of all four LEZs will commence by Summer 2024.

Results updated 13 Oct 2020

Read the full consultation analysis.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

This consultation on Scotland's Low Emission Zones: Regulations and Guidance gives us an opportunity to seek your opinions on issues of a technical nature that underpin the operation and delivery of Low Emission Zones (LEZs), including the substantive issue of emission standards, exemptions and penalty charges.

Why your views matter

The purpose of this consultation is to set out the proposed arrangements and options related to the nationally consistent LEZ standards which will be set out in regulations in tandem with guidance. The regulations are vital in delivering successful, fair and equitable LEZs.

Chapters 8 and 9 sets the scene for LEZs and outlines the scope of this consultation.

Chapters 10 and 11 outline the proposals for LEZ regulations and guidance, seeking your views on a selection of issues such as the emission standards, penalty charge rate, enforcement and exemptions. Chapter 13 further seeks your views on assessing the general impact on areas such as equality, privacy and the environment. 

The deadline for responses is at 23:59 on 24 February 2020. 

Read the consultation paper 

What happens next

After the consultation has closed we will analyse all the responses received and use your feedback to help inform the development of future legislation and guidance on LEZs. Where permission has been given, we will make responses available to the public at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/. We will aim to publish our response and analysis to the consultation within 20 working days of the consultation closing.

Interests

  • Business, Industry and Innovation
  • Communities and Third Sector
  • Economy
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Equality, Welfare and Rights
  • Public Sector
  • Health and Social Care
  • Transport