Reducing emissions by 66% by 2032
Final climate change plan published.
Scotland’s successful deployment of renewable energy schemes and the decarbonisation of the country’s electricity system will allow other areas of the economy to play their part in the fight against climate change, the Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said.
Ms Cunningham was speaking following the publication of the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan, which sets out in detail how Ministers intend to meet the target of reducing emissions by 66% by 2032.
Scotland is already on track to meet the 2020 target to reduce emissions by 42% and the new Climate Change Plan sets out the Scottish Government’s decarbonisation plans for the period leading up to 2032:
- By 2032, Scotland’s electricity sector, already largely decarbonised, will be important as a low carbon power source for heat and transport, with 50% of all of Scotland’s energy needs to be delivered by renewables by 2030
- By 2032, transport emissions will have reduced by 37%, the need for people to buy petrol and diesel cars or vans will have been phased out, and low emission zones introduced
- By 2032, emissions will have reduced by 33% in Scotland’s buildings
- By 2032, woodland will cover 21% of Scotland – up from 18%
- 70% of all waste will be recycled by 2025.
Ms Cunningham said:
“We should be proud of the fact that Scotland is already on track to meet its 2020 target to reduce carbon emissions by 42% and has won international recognition for its leadership in this vital area.
“This new Climate Change Plan is designed to build on the successes we have achieved so far, by paving the way for further positive, transformational change in a wide range of areas.
“We have carefully considered the helpful and constructive feedback we received from stakeholders and the UK Committee on Climate Change to ensure that our final plan, which is designed to reduce emissions by 66% by 2032, is both ambitious and realistic.
“It also delivers a range of wider benefits for Scotland. For example, improving energy efficiency will help combat fuel poverty as well as reducing emissions.
“Record levels of investment in walking and cycling, as part of our Active Nation initiative, will make Scotland a healthier and safer country for everyone by cutting pollution.
“And our support for the switch to electric vehicles, and the charging infrastructure they require, will cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.”
“It is particularly fitting that our plan is published during the Year of Young People, as we will be relying on those young people to help us achieve our world leading climate ambitions.
“We fully recognise that this plan will be challenging to achieve and the journey ahead will be far from straightforward.
“But we have a duty to provide leadership on this this vital issue, while ensuring that Scotland seizes the valuable economic opportunities which the transition to a low carbon economy presents.
“Across the Scottish Government, we are working hard every day to do exactly that and in the coming months we will bring forward a new Climate Change Bill which will raise the bar higher still.”