Scottish Ministers today confirmed their plans to meet statutory annual greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.
The Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reductions Targets 2010-2022 report has today been laid before Parliament showing that Scotland can meet each annual target and is poised to take advantage of the economic opportunities of a low carbon society.
The report shows that Scotland is on track to deliver a 42 per cent cut in emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 but that the EU and UK must follow Scotland’s lead and set tougher targets in line with global climate change need.
The report is required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act to set out proposals and policies for meeting annual emissions reductions targets from 2010 to 2022.
Benefits of delivering these proposals and policies could include:
* Jobs in the low carbon sector in Scotland could grow by four per cent a year to 2020, rising from 70,000 to 130,000, over five per cent of the Scottish workforce
* Household energy efficiency could save consumers a cumulative 8.5 billion pounds in their fuel bills by 2050
* Motorists could save 300 million pounds a year in reduced fuel costs by “eco-driving”
Ahead of a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, Environment and Climate Change Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:
“Today marks yet another significant landmark in Scotland’s programme of action to tackle climate change and make the transition to a low carbon Scotland.
“Scotland’s first milestone was the Climate Change Act which attracted unanimous cross-party support for our ambitious targets. Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-2022 will form the backbone of action to reduce emissions over the next decade.
“The publication of this report essentially marks the end of the first phase of the Act; now we need to shine a spotlight on delivery. The report demonstrates that it is possible to hit each of our targets to 2022, and now we have the annual markers and strategic direction in place.
“A low carbon society makes sense for consumers, business and public services – it continues to makes sense for Scotland.”
* Publications since the Climate Change Act are:
* Public Engagement Strategy
* Energy Efficiency Action Plan
* Land Use Strategy
* Public Bodies Duty Guidance
* Low Carbon Economic Strategy
* Zero Waste Plan
