Scotland’s climate coalition has responded to the latest report on Scotland’s progress towards emissions-reduction targets from independent government advisers at the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC).
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) says the key findings in the CCC report reinforce what its own experts have been calling for.
The coalition is urging the Scottish Government to strengthen its draft Climate Change Plan, the routemap to net zero by 2045, which is due to be laid in parliament before it is dissolved ahead of the Scottish election.
Dr Mike Robinson, chair of SCCS, said:
“We welcome this comprehensive report from the CCC, the first since interim emissions targets were deemed ‘unachievable’ and then scrapped.
“It is positive news that Scotland’s short-term emissions-reduction goal is considered ‘within reach’.
“However, the CCC concerns echo those set out by SCCS’s own experts and warn that targets beyond 2030 could be difficult to hit.
“Our coalition is calling for faster and stronger action that will improve public well-being, boost the economy and keep the country on track to reach net zero by 2045.
“Key moves include a ramp-up in installation of clean heating systems; creation of reliable, low-carbon public transport links; better support for the agriculture sector; and an end to the naive over-reliance on unproven tech as a magic wand to remove future emissions.
“All these issues must be urgently addressed in the final Climate Change Plan to ensure it presents a credible pathway for reducing emissions and reverses the worrying trend of delayed action.
“Strong climate policies will lower energy bills, create warmer homes, provide cleaner transport, create more resilient communities, provide good green jobs and boost public health, while also ending the country’s contribution to global heating.
“All Scots deserve a safer, fairer, healthier future.”
For the final plan to be credible, the draft must be amended to address the points raised by the CCC, and previously made by SCCS.
