The Scottish Executive is the devolved government for Scotland. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including 
health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. It manages an annual budget of more than £20 billion in the financial year 2002-2003 that is due to 
rise to almost £26 billion in 2005-2006. The Executive was established in 1999, following the first elections to the Scottish Parliament. The Executive is 
led by a First Minister who is nominated by the Parliament and in turn appoints the other Scottish Ministers who make up the Cabinet. Executive civil servants 
are accountable to Scottish Ministers, who are themselves accountable to the Scottish Parliament.  
Ministers aim to help the people of Scotland secure a high quality of life through sensitive stewardship and sustainable development of the country's natural 
resources. In particular, the Executive wants to achieve a clean, healthy and safe environment, an effective and high quality water industry, and improvements 
in people's enjoyment of their natural surroundings.   
The Environment Department deals with issues including Climate change; Countryside, National Parks & Natural Heritage; Pollution; Sustainable Development; 
Waste; Water and Flooding; Wildlife and Habitats; Genetic Modification.