This letter is in repose to the letter sent by SCCS, the civil society coalition on Climate, to the First Minister on March 5th. The letter brings us no further forward, saying that there is no intention to amend EIA regulations, put in place a moratorium, nor provide more guidance on green data centres beyond their existing commitment in the AI Strategy to publish ‘what factors would be prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre’ by 2027.
The original letter sent is here:
Letter from SCCS to FM backing APRS’s calls on hyperscale data centres
SCCS has joined APRS’s campaign against hyperscale data centres in Scotland – here is a letter written by their chair to the First Minister calling for a moratorium.
Mike Robinson
chair@stopclimatechaosscotland.org
Your Reference: Letter from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland – data centres
25 June 2026
Dear Mike Robinson,
Thank you for your letter of 5 March to the First Minister regarding proposed data centre developments.
I am responding as Minister with responsibility for planning. Please accept my apologies for the delay in
replying to your correspondence.
First of all, you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment on the merits of
any live or prospective planning application. I have however set out the following general information
which may be helpful to your members.
Scotland’s national AI Strategy was published in March 2026. It sets out comprehensive plans to
ensure that Scotland benefits from the AI revolution. The strategy recognises that in a global, digital
economy, data centres are essential to data sovereignty and realising economic growth through greater
compute capability for business and research. Actions include a commitment by the Scottish
Government to publish guidance on what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre.
In the meantime, we have been clear that a range of factors may be used by planning authorities when
considering these matters. This includes the extent to which a data centre is powered from renewable
energy sources, makes use of energy efficient technologies, seeks to minimise water consumption and
supports the re-use of excess heat.
Planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all planning applications, and all applications are considered on their own merits. In cases where a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, these powers are further supplemented by the procedures set out in long-established environmental impact assessment legislation. There are no current plans to amend EIA legislation.
There is a statutory process that must be followed for all planning applications and there are no plans to
introduce a moratorium. The Scottish Government is clear that the voices of communities that will be
affected by these developments must be central to any considerations.
AI data centres are an evolving sector. For this reason, our National Planning Hub has been working with
planning authorities, infrastructure providers and industry stakeholders to share an understanding of
emerging impacts to support consideration and effective decision-making through the planning system.
Finally, the Scottish Government provides financial assistance to the charity Planning Aid Scotland who
provide a free advice service on planning and environmental matters for communities and the public at
large, through its professional planner volunteers. More information can be found here: Home – Planning
Aid Scotland
Yours sincerely,
HANNAH MARY GOODLAD MSP
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC FINANCE