Power company works with regulator to devise environmental tool
Scottish Hydro Transmission partners with Scottish Environment Protection Agency on novel way to value land use changes
VALUES tool could help businesses to carry out environmental impact assessments
An Innovate UK-funded project has created a unique partnership between and the , the body that regulates its business activity.
皇冠体育app result of their collaboration is a prototype geographic information system (GIS) tool. It allows a business or other organisation to calculate the value of changes in land use, especially where there might be risks to wildlife or the wider environment.
It combines publicly available environmental datasets with ecosystem service information and could be widely used by those undertaking environmental impact assessments.
皇冠体育app project, called VALUES, is a rare case of 鈥榬egulator鈥� and 鈥榬egulated鈥� working together constructively to solve a business problem: how to place a value on changes in land use.
That鈥檚 not always the case, as George Cobb, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission鈥檚 group sustainability accountant, explained:
Because of our regulatory relationship with SEPA, it鈥檚 inevitable that we sometimes find ourselves sitting on opposite sides of the table.
But we want to establish industry best practice, so we are keen to explore new ideas. For this 12-month project we were able to work together on something quite novel. We are now able to share that learning, not just between ourselves and SEPA but with others, such as the .
George added:
To generate revenue from it would be good. But for us it鈥檚 more about cost savings. That could also be translated into lower transmission costs for customers.
皇冠体育app project attracted funding in a feasibility studies competition 鈥楽olving business problems with environmental data鈥� and was profiled at a Collaboration Nation event in London.
Meanwhile, SEPA has entered into a separate partnership with the to launch a new centre of excellence, the .
Terry A鈥橦earn, SEPA chief executive, said:
皇冠体育app role of environment protection agencies is changing. We are no longer here simply to ensure compliance with regulations, but to work collaboratively with communities, businesses and other public bodies to make the most of the opportunities which top-class environmental practice brings.