Environmental, Waste and Renewables Update

Here is a summary of today's Environmental, Waste and Renewables news:

Guardian: Cruise ships face tax for docking in Scottish ports

Cruise ships could be taxed for docking in Scottish ports under proposals floated by the SNP-led government.

The levy – which would be the first of its kind in the UK – is being considered amid evidence that more cruises and passengers are visiting Scotland than ever before.

Click here to read Guardian: Cruise ships face tax for docking in Scottish ports.

Circular: EPR Scheme Administrator to publish final base fees in June

A joint statement from the four UK nations has announced the extended producer responsibility (EPR) base fees for 2025/26 will be published by June 2025.

Click here to read Circular: EPR Scheme Administrator to publish final base fees in June.

University of St Andrews: Researchers partner with Scottish Government to help improve seabed management

The Scottish Government has partnered with academics at the University of St Andrews to tackle a significant evidence gap, with the aim of informing new policies to improve the management of Scotland’s seabed.

Click here to read University of St Andrews: Researchers partner with Scottish Government to help improve seabed management.

Business Matters: Lack of grid capacity pushes ‘wasted wind’ costs to £250m

The cost to consumers arising from constraints on Britain’s electricity network surged by 60 per cent to £253 million in the first two months of 2025, as wind farms were paid to switch off and gas plants were paid to replace them, according to analysis by Wasted Wind.

Click here to read Business Matters: Lack of grid capacity pushes ‘wasted wind’ costs to £250m.