Scottish government scraps climate change target

A new package of climate action measures have been announced in Scotland, including a suite of new policies on public transport.

The Scottish government said an increase in charging points and a commitment to help people reduce their reliance on cars with a 20 per cent fall in their use by 2030 are also a top priority.

While these aspects of the climate change action plan has remained, the government is scrapping its annual and interim targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The original goal was to achieve net zero by 2030 in Scotland, but they have now shifted that up to 2045.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, net zero secretary Màiri McAllan said:

“The race to net zero is one that we must all win and I want to begin by affirming this Government’s unwavering commitment to ending our contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the latest, as agreed by Parliament on a cross-party basis.

“I was grateful for the latest report from the Climate Change Committee on our progress in reducing emissions. The CCC are a key partner in our net zero journey and their insights are essential."

The increase in charging points comes as part of a wider climate package that also includes an integrated ticketing system which can be used across all public transport.

In agriculture and land use, a new carbon tax on large estates to incentivise peatland restoration, tree planting and renewable energy generation will be consulted on, and ways to reduce emissions from livestock through the use of special feedstuffs will be piloted.

The Scottish government said the country is already around halfway to net zero and has decarbonised faster than the UK average.

In 2022, 87.9 per cent of electricity generation was from zero or low carbon sources.

Minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants' rights Patrick Harvie, said: “The package of new climate measures announced today is absolutely critical, to ensure that Scotland gets back on track and can meet net zero, becoming one of the first countries in the world to end our contribution to climate change in a just and fair way."

He said: “Only by working together across the political divide and with all levels of government, the public sector and the business community can we tackle the climate crisis with the pace and urgency required."