[5] It protects communities by regulating activities that can cause harmful pollution and by monitoring the quality of Scotland's air, land and water.

On 24 December 2020 SEPA was subject to a serious and complex cyber-attack that significantly impacted their contact centre, internal systems, processes and communications.

SEPA's staff are employed in a wide range of specialist areas which include: chemistry, ecology, environmental regulation, hydrology, engineering, quality control, planning, communications, business support and management functions.

The directorate includes environmental policy, radioactive substances policy and regulation, SEPA's advisory work, river basin management planning, national planning, strategic environmental assessment and Organisational Development (encompassing Human Resources, Health and Safety and Learning and Development).

SEPA used to have Regional Boards (North, South-west and South-east) that undertook local engagement with customers, partners and stakeholders.

[10] As the name suggests, the Floodline service is designed to give the public early warning of likely flooding in specific areas.

This sends flood warning information for a chosen geographical area direct to customers who have registered a mobile or landline telephone number.

"[13][14][15] There are many things which can negatively affect good air quality such as vehicle and transport emissions, energy production, some industrial processes, waste and agriculture.

The emissions that are produced by these activities can significantly damage air quality, which can lead to health problems, depletion of the ozone layer and changes to other natural habitats.

... Scotland’s carbon dioxide emissions are contributing to global climate changes which are likely to have significant long term environmental impacts.

SEPA and the Scottish Government work in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to ensure the objectives that are listed in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are achieved.

[21] In Scotland, the effects of climate change can be seen in raised temperatures, increased rainfall and less snow cover (than the last Ice Age).

(Scotland) Act 2006[22] and helps deliver the Scottish Government's commitment to providing a more effective and efficient planning system.

SEPA attempts to enable good development whilst also protecting Scotland's environment through the planning system and takes a consultative approach where they can add most value.

However, if radioactive substances are not stored or used properly, they can potentially cause significant human health problems and damage to the environment.

Another one of SEPA's statutory duties is to protect the environment and human health in Scotland from the effects of waste management and disposal.

SEPA employ experts in many fields of science, including hydrology, chemistry, ecology, algology, ecotoxicology, hydromorphology, hydrogeology, and oceanography.

SEPA tests individual chemical parameters and the levels of plants and animals in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats.

These data are invaluable in characterising the long-term pressures on Scotland's environment, particularly in relation to the assessment and management of the consequences of climate change.

SEPA's testing, analysis and interpretation of samples covers a wide range of environments throughout Scotland, including contaminated land, fresh and saline waters, soils and sediments, sewage and industrial effluents, leachates, fauna and biota, and landfill gases.