'Immediate action’ needed on net zero, Climate Change Committee tells ministers

The Scottish Government must take “immediate action” to meet its “ambitious but credible” net zero goal, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has said.

In its latest report to ministers, the statutory body has set out its recommendations for carbon budgets that will see Scotland reach net zero by 2045.

The CCC also estimates that delivering the carbon budgets will have a net cost of 0.4 per cent of Scotland’s GDP per year – though adds it will come with wide economic benefits too.

While the carbon budgets model is new to Scotland, it is used elsewhere in the UK to set binding milestones.

It follows the parliament voting to scrap interim targets after it became clear the path to reduce emissions by 75 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030 was no longer credible.

The report recommends the government should aim for a five-year average of a 57 per cent reduction between 2026-30, 69 per cent in 2031-35, 80 per cent between 2036-40 and 94 per cent between 2041-45.

Emissions were 50 per cent below 1990 levels in 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available.

Interim chair of the CCC Professor Piers Foster said: “Scotland’s new system of carbon budgets will help guide the action we need to get to net zero by 2045. We’re delighted to be able to present a good news story about how Scotland can decarbonise.

“But we do need to see action now. The Scottish Government has devolved powers to deliver the necessary emissions reductions in key sectors, particularly buildings, surface transport, agriculture, and land use. We encourage them to exercise these powers as quickly and fully as possible.”

The report goes on to make 18 “priority recommendations” for delivering the carbon budgets, including providing support to households to meet the upfront costs of switching to low carbon heating and installing insulation.

It said ministers must “urgently” develop an alternative to the abandoned Heat in Buildings Bill relating to upgrading properties at the point of sale.

The CCC calls for rapid expansion of the electric vehicle charging network and other low-carbon travel infrastructure, long-term certainty for farmers and land managers, and proactive transition plans for communities most impacted by the transition to net zero.

The report also says the UK Government must act to reduce electricity bills, in particular removing policy costs and levies from bills.

Welcoming the report, acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said carbon budgets must provide an achievable pathway to net zero.

She said: “We will carefully consider the committee’s advice before bringing forward regulations to set carbon budget levels for Scotland. This will include consideration of the target setting criteria set out under the act, and an assessment of whether the pace of decarbonisation is appropriate for people, sectors and businesses across Scotland.”

Scottish Labour has said the report shows the government must create a “real plan” to reach its target.

Net zero spokesperson Sarah Boyack said: “The SNP has already torn up one set of targets – we urgently need a real plan to meet the Scottish Government’s remaining targets. From upgrading homes to supporting green transport, there is clearly a huge amount the SNP could do right now to make Scotland a fairer, greener country.”

The Scottish Lib Dems have also urged ministers to take immediate action. Liam McArthur MSP said: “If Scotland is going to meet its vital net zero targets then we are going to need more than just hot air from the Scottish Government.

“To bring down bills and emissions Scottish Liberal Democrats would rapidly insulate homes, drive a rooftop solar revolution, install thousands more EV chargers and overhaul community benefit rules so that local communities get a proper share of the wealth from the renewables rollout on their doorstep.”

However, the Scottish Conservatives have said the report confirms the high cost of net zero.

The party last month urged the government to scrap its 2045 pledge, instead saying there must be an “affordable transition”.

Responding to the CCC report, net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: “This report confirms the jaw-dropping costs that will have to be incurred if the SNP are to have any hope of hitting their net zero ambitions. What it doesn’t make clear is who is going to foot the bill for the £750m worth of investment per year that the committee say will be required.

“That will alarm hard-pressed families and businesses who will fear being hammered with higher bills if they are forced to carry the burden themselves. John Swinney cannot ignore this report and pretend everything is fine with his current approach to tackling climate change.”