The Scottish Government will increase its focus on increasing the use of clean, green energy as part of a new delivery plan on climate change, published today.
The proposals also include a switch to electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, a drive to reduce emissions from agricultural businesses and to increase woodland planting.
The plan is aimed at helping to meet the provisions of the Government's Climate Change Bill, which sets a target of reducing greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.
But today's announcement has already attracted heavy criticism with the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) group saying the government has "run out of excuses" and must take immediate steps to amend the "weak" interim targets currently contained within its climate change bill.
The coalition claim Scotland could match much tougher pollution reduction targets.
Ministers are currently proposing a reduction of 34% in Scotland's climate emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels as part of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. SCCS says it has been calling for the target of 42% from the start, delivering on the SNP's manifesto pledge to reduce emissions by 3% a year.
The plan published today maps out how the Scottish Government can meet the proposed 34% reduction target as well as how it is possible to meet the tougher 42% target.
Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said: "The government’s current climate change bill falls short - it neither addresses the urgency with which we need to deal with this issue, nor does it take enough note of the science. If other world leaders adopted the Scottish government’s interim 34% target the problem of climate change will get worse. That is why the final Bill must include, from the start, a strong short term target of at least 42% by 2020."
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland (and a member of the SCCS coalition) said: "This plan shows that it is possible for Scotland to meet tougher climate targets over the next decade.
“There is no longer any excuse for Scotland’s politicians to aim any lower than a 40% reduction in emissions by 2020. With this document Scotland's politicians can now have confidence to set a tougher 2020 target and make this Bill the truly world-leading example that everyone so desperately needs in the run up to the Copenhagen talks.
"The Government is thinking of delivering on the tougher target only if the EU agrees to new rules on emissions trading. However, even without new EU rules the rest of the plan shows Scotland can deliver significant reductions beyond the current 34% target. In addition, using the back-stop of international carbon trading we can see how to do at least 40% by 2020. We call on every MSP to vote for cuts of 40% or more when the Climate Change Bill has its final session in Parliament next week."
The Plan covers emissions reduction plans in transport, energy, homes, farming and forestry and commits Scotland to a low-carbon power and transport future.
Dr Dixon, added: "New commitments on decarbonising the energy and transport sectors are particularly welcome. The SNP have gone further than the Westminster government by making these firm promises.
“Even though the SNP have let some sectors off lightly they have still managed to make the sums add up. This means that government would still have room to achieve greater reductions in emissions and flexibility on the options to deliver these."
Robert Holden, Scotland around 2 years, 7 months ago