Scotland targets 66% cut in climate emissions within 15 years
Thu 19 January 2017
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Scotland has presented ambitious plans to cut total climate emissions by 66% within 15 years in the third report on proposals and policies for meeting the country's annual greenhouse gas emissions targets. The plans will mean large reductions in reliance on fossil fuels for transport, energy and homes.
The plan is one of the world’s most ambitious climate strategies and follows after the country's original goal of cutting Scotland’s emissions by 42% by 2020 was met six years early.
The new strategy, expected to cost up to £3bn a year to implement, is closely linked to a new renewable energy programme due to be published soon. This will call for 40% of all new cars and vans sold in Scotland to be ultra-low-emission by 2032, with 50% of Scotland’s buses to be low carbon.
This will be allied with a totally carbon-free electricity sector based entirely on renewable energy sources by 2032, when Scotland’s last nuclear power station is planned to close.
A range of other measures will apply to Scottish homes and the non-road transport sector.
The Scottish environment secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, told MSPs at Holyrood that the proposals “represent a new level of ambition which will help maintain Scotland’s reputation as a climate leader within the international community”.
The LowCVP features in Scotland's Climate Change Plan (p83) in the context of the Partnership's work to support the Scottish Executive to encourage the introduction of low carbon buses.
Shortly after the publication of Scotland's Climate Change Plan, academics and industry experts on Scotland's future energy taskforce urged Holyrood to strengthen measures against petrol and diesel vehicles. The taskforce, convened by WWF Scotland, suggests ministers should "identify urban locations for the phased introduction of a ban in the use of conventionally fuelled vehicles by 2025".
It also suggests that central and local government should make sure they buy and lease only low carbon vehicles that produce fewer emissions.
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