Scotland's environmental watchdog is succeeding in greening itself by cutting pollution, waste and air travel - but it still has a problem with the mountains of paper it uses.

The latest green audit of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), to be published tomorrow, shows the organisation is on track to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 20% of 1998-99 levels by 2010.

But it has failed to meet its target to reduce paper consumption per employee by 5% of 2005-06 levels. Only a 3% cut was actually made, though measures have now been introduced to try and improve on that.

Altogether, Sepa achieved seven out of eight environmental performance targets for 2006-07. This is better than the previous year, when only five out of eight targets were met.

"This is a good performance but we are not complacent," said Sepa's chief executive, Campbell Gemmell. "Sepa occupies a unique position in respect of care for the environment and human health across Scotland. At a time when many environmental concerns are rising fast on the political agenda, Sepa must also persuade others to do as I do'."

The agency reduced its electricity consumption by 9% per employee between 2005-06 and 2006-07, and its gas consumption by 13% per employee over the same period. More efficient heaters have been introduced, lights have been put on timers, and electrical equipment has been turned off when not in use.

Sepa has also managed to cut total travel over the year by 250,000 miles, thereby saving 51 tonnes of carbon emissions. All staff are encouraged to telephone or video-conference where possible, and if they do need to travel to use public transport or to share cars.

The agency has been making an effort to cut down on air travel since the Sunday Herald revealed in 2006 its staff had taken 1500 climate-wrecking flights within mainland Britain in a year. Now staff are only allowed to fly with the express permission of senior managers, and only if other options are genuinely impractical.

Sepa has also set itself the ambitious target of halving its UK mainland flights between 2006-07 and 2007-08. Over the past year the carbon dioxide emissions from all forms of transport dropped by 9% per employee.

The use of chemicals to analyse pesticide samples has been reduced, causing a 23% reduction in solvent wastes from Sepa laboratories. Sepa offices have also been conserving wildlife, with a pond being built by staff in Dingwall.

"We want all business and individuals to think about the small steps they can take," said Sepa's internal green co-ordinator, Derek McGregor. "Switching off computer monitors, using timer switches and carefully choosing printer options can all make a difference."

He added: "Sepa provides organisations and individuals with advice and direction on good environmental practice. So it's vital we demonstrate our own commitment and ability to improving environmental performance and reducing the environmental impact of our activities."

Sepa was congratulated by WWF Scotland's acting director, Dan Barlow, for cutting its carbon emissions. "A public body should, of course, be leading by example towards a greener Scotland," he told the Sunday Herald.

"Given the damaging effect on the climate of emissions from aviation we welcome the commitment by Sepa to halve UK mainland flights in the year ahead and would urge all public bodies to follow this lead and avoid air travel wherever possible."