SNP-Green ministers told to raise ambition to meet climate targets

Scotland's plan for tackling climate change this decade must be strengthened, campaigners have said after the government’s framework for cutting emissions was criticised by the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC).

A new report says the SNP-Green administration’s plan to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 will mean a “highly ambitious decade of decarbonisation ahead."

However, there is little detail from ministers on how this will be achieved. It also warns that continued failure to meet interim targets will undermine the plan’s credibility.

The CCC’s report sets out more than 70 recommendations for the government. It warns that meeting targets mean, “ambition will have to be increased in those areas where rapid gains are still feasible, especially through peatland restoration, achieving healthier diets and reducing aviation demand.”

Lord Deben, chairman of the CCC, said: “Scotland’s successful hosting of COP26 makes it particularly important for the Scottish Government to respond to the new Glasgow Climate Pact and show how serious it is about delivering net zero.

“Strategies alone won’t reduce emissions. Major changes are needed across the Scottish economy, requiring lasting, systemic action in most sectors.

“Clarity and transparency on policy, supported with detail on how these policies will be delivered has been lacking.

"My committee cannot assess future progress without this vital assurance.”

Fabrice Leveque, climate change lead at WWF Scotland, said: “During COP26, the First Minister stated Scotland had to go further to cut emissions and keep our climate promises.  However, this report lays bare the growing gap between the targets set and the actions being taken to meet them.

“Climate change is a top priority for voters, who want to see real and positive changes to the way we travel, heat our homes and produce food. 

"It’s not enough that only 30% of the CCC’s recommendations for this past year have been achieved by the Scottish Government on time.  The budget, due to be published in just a few days, must make tackling the climate and nature emergencies a central priority.

“The Scottish Government showed genuine leadership last month at COP.  We now need to see a clear focus on helping all of us in Scotland cut our emissions as fast as possible, bringing environmental, social and economic benefits to all.”

Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "The CCC is not convinced by the current Scottish plans and calls for more work to show that we are on track to meet targets.

"We would go further and say that the last climate plan needs to be urgently strengthened."

Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said: "The Scottish government is wholly committed to ending Scotland's contribution to climate change by 2045 at the latest, and ensuring we do this in a way that is just and fair for everyone.

"The independent expert advice of the Climate Change Committee plays an important role in shaping our ongoing response to the global climate emergency and I am grateful for its latest report, which we will carefully consider and respond to in full."

He added: "I also agree entirely with the committee's key finding that the focus now, both for us in Scotland and for countries around the world, must be on the delivery of the policies to drive transformational emissions reductions across all areas of the economy."