New Climate Change Targets for Scotland: Insights from Leading Experts

Experts are calling for bold actions to tackle climate change in Scotland. A new report suggests several targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years. These recommendations come after the Scottish government abandoned annual targets last year due to repeated failures to meet them. However, the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 remains intact.

According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Scotland needs to cut emissions by an average of 57% in the next five years and 69% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels. The government is expected to review and likely adopt these suggestions soon.

Back in 2019, the original targets aimed for a dramatic 75% reduction by 2030. At that time, then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon labeled them among the most ambitious worldwide. But in 2024, these targets were scrapped. Advisers warned they were no longer feasible.

New data reveals that emissions decreased by 50% from the 1990 baseline. The CCC now anticipates the 75% reduction may not be attainable until 2036—six years later than planned. They stress that quick and extensive action is crucial to reaching net-zero by 2045, which is when we must stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere entirely.

Instead of annual goals, emissions will now be managed in five-year intervals. This approach allows for fluctuations caused by weather, like using more gas for heating during cold spells. Expert forecasts estimate that electric vehicles (EVs) will comprise around three-fifths of Scottish cars and vans by 2035, up from only 2.2% in 2023. Falling battery costs are expected to make EVs as affordable as traditional petrol and diesel cars within three years.

To facilitate this transition, the CCC recommends focusing on electric vehicles and heat pumps. Implementing these changes will cost approximately £750 million annually over the next 25 years but is expected to yield savings in the long run. EVs are cheaper to maintain than their fossil-fuel counterparts, while heat pumps are more efficient than gas boilers.

Moreover, renewable energy generation needs to significantly increase. Scotland could more than triple its wind and solar power production in the next decade. However, this requires substantial upgrades to the transmission grid, which raises concerns among affected communities regarding new infrastructure.

Additionally, the report stresses the importance of nature-based solutions, like tree planting and peatland restoration. These methods could help reduce emissions by 13% by 2045. The CCC noted that Scotland’s woodland creation budget faced a 41% cut last year, which hindered previous planting targets.

Activist groups emphasize the importance of swift government action. WWF Scotland believes the findings should spark immediate change, while Oxfam Scotland insists it’s time to stop hesitating and start implementing solutions. “Climate action is not optional,” said Mike Robinson from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, urging ministers to move from discussion to action.

Acting Net-Zero Secretary Gillian Martin confirmed that the government would carefully consider the CCC’s advice. She acknowledged the need for an achievable plan that improves public health, boosts the economy, and ensures no worker is left behind.

In summary, Scotland stands at a critical juncture. The proposed targets are ambitious but necessary. The success of these initiatives depends on timely and decisive actions from the government. The eyes of the world are watching, and the time to act is now.

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