Legislation to create a carbon budget approach to setting climate
targets has been published.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
seeks to amend the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, in
response to the Climate Change Committee's (CCC) advice that
Scotland's interim emissions reduction target for 2030 was beyond
what could be achieved.
Annual emissions targets are vulnerable to year-to-year
fluctuations in emissions such as a particularly cold winters or
unexpected events such as a global pandemic.
Based on recommendations from the CCC, the Bill therefore seeks
to set a limit on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted over a
five-year period, to provide a more reliable framework for
emissions reduction.
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero said: “Our commitment to
ending Scotland's contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the
latest, as agreed by Parliament on a cross-party basis, is
unwavering.
“We are now halfway to net zero and continue to be ahead of the
UK as a whole in delivering long term emissions reductions.
“However, it is crucial that our target pathway to 2045 is set at
a pace and scale that is feasible and reflects the latest
independent advice.
“Carbon budgets are an established model for assessment of
emissions reductions used by other nations including Japan,
France, and Wales.
“We will continue leading on climate action that is fair,
ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us, and
reflects our commitment to the ambition of credible emissions
reduction. We are maintaining our commitment to a just transition
to net zero and progressing our international work on climate
change.”
Background
View the Climate Change
(Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the legislation will also
change the current deadline to finalise the next Climate Change
Plan for Scotland, so the Plan can align with the timescale for
carbon budgets.
The carbon budgets will continue to include emissions from
international aviation and shipping and there will be no
provision to “carry over” emissions from one carbon budget to
another.
Ministers will also still be required to lay an annual report
before Parliament on Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions and
progress on Scotland's Climate Change Plan.
Climate Change (Emissions
Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill: position paper - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
