Greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland have fallen by 28.9 per cent since 1990, according to latest official statistics published today.
The 2009 figures show a seven per cent reduction between 2008 and 2009, with total emissions falling from 54.8 million tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2008 to 51.0 in 2009.
Taking emissions trading into account, Scotland's emissions have fallen by 27.6 per cent since the 1990 base year, meaning that Scotland is on course to achieving its 2020 target of reducing emissions by 42 per cent.
However, in a separate report which measures key Scottish environmental measures, researchers found a third of Scots raised some degree of doubt about the immediacy of climate change and its effects.
The Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey 2008 included a question to gauge public concern about the perceived immediacy of climate change. Respondents were asked to choose one statement that came closest to their own view.
The majority of respondents (57%) said that "Climate change is an immediate and urgent problem". However, more than one in three expressed some degree of doubt, with approximately one fifth (22%) saying that "Climate change is more of a problem for the future" and around one in eight either saying "I'm still not convinced that climate change is happening" (9%) or that "Climate change is not really a problem" (4%).
Around 4% said that that none of these statements closely matched their own view on climate change.
The report also revealed that in 2009, Scotland generated 51,325 GWh of electricity, 3% more than in 2008. Renewable electricity generation increased by approximately 3% over this period, accounting for 21% of the total generated.
Scotland generated 10,744 GWh of electricity from renewable sources in 2009. This equated to 27% of the gross consumption of electricity in Scotland, compared with 12% in 2000.
The Scottish Government has set a target for renewable sources to generate the equivalent of 100% of Scotland's gross annual electricity consumption by 2020, with an interim milestone of 31% by 2011.
The figures released by Scotland's Chief Statistician today includes key statistics on greenhouse gas emissions. All figures include emissions from international aviation and shipping except where stated. The publication includes adjusted emissions that take into account trading through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and show progress against targets.
The main findings are:
* In 2009, Scottish emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases are estimated to be 51.0 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e). This is 7.0 per cent lower than the 2008 figure of 54.8 Mt CO2e. Between 1990 and 2009, there was a 28.9 per cent reduction in emissions.
* When emissions are adjusted to take into account of trading in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), emissions reduced by 3.8 per cent between 2008 and 2009 (from 54.0 Mt CO2e to 52.0 Mt CO2e). Compared with the 1990 base year, emissions in 2009 (after taking account of trading in the EU ETS) were 27.6 per cent lower.
Unadjusted emissions:
Between 2008 and 2009, there were decreases in greenhouse gas emissions in all categories except forestry which showed a small reduction in removals (less than one per cent). There were decreases of 12 per cent from both the business and industrial process and public categories, 7 per cent from international aviation and shipping, and also 7 per cent from energy supply. There were also further reductions of 6 per cent from residential, 4 per cent in both waste management and transport (excluding international aviation and shipping), as well as decreases of 1 per cent from development and agriculture and related land use.
* The overall decrease in emissions from 2008 to 2009 is primarily due to differences between the type of fuel used to generate electricity (with a reduction in the use of oil and gas and an increase in nuclear and renewables) combined with lower fossil fuel consumption by industry and by the transport sector. Emissions from the public and residential categories are affected by changes in weather among other factors.
* Since 1990, emissions from transport (excluding international aviation and shipping) have increased by 2 per cent with emissions from international aviation and shipping increasing by 12 per cent. The largest absolute reduction was for the business and industrial process category at 5.7 Mt CO2e, a 45 per cent reduction. Others categories with significant reductions are waste management down 4.4 Mt CO2e (68 per cent reduction), energy supply down 4.0 Mt CO2e (18 per cent) and agriculture and related land use down 3.9 Mt CO2e (27 per cent). Net removals from forestry increased by 1.7 Mt CO2e; 21 per cent more than removed in 1990.
* Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for around 77 per cent of Scottish greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 when Scottish emissions of carbon dioxide were estimated to be 39.3 Mt CO2. This was 8.6 per cent lower than the 2008 figure of 43.0 Mt CO2. Since 1990, emissions of carbon dioxide have fallen by 25 per cent and emissions of the other greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide and F-gases) have fallen by 39 per cent.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson said: "These figures demonstrate continued progress towards achieving our world leading climate change targets.
"Whether public sector, private companies or households, we all need to play our part in delivering a low carbon Scotland which will continue to see greenhouse gas emissions fall.
"As encouraging as these results are, we must not be complacent about meeting our targets, as events like the recent severe winters may have an impact on our emissions in future years.
"The challenge for Scotland therefore remains to find ever more innovative ways to drive down emissions, while creating a more sustainable, low carbon economy for Scotland."
G Wilson, Edinburgh around 8 months, 1 week ago