Scotland's pathway towards net zero mapped out.
Communities will benefit from cleaner air, warmer homes and new
job opportunities under draft plans to cut emissions published
today.
The draft Climate Change Plan to 2040 sets out actions designed
to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions and meet our first
three carbon budgets, whilst supporting jobs, growth and
community regeneration.
Scotland is already over half way to net zero having reduced
emissions by 51.3% since 1990 – the largest reduction in the UK
and faster than the EU average, using comparable statistics.
The new plan details over 150 policies and proposals building on
this progress, including:
- setting a target to decarbonise building heat systems by 2045
- phasing out new diesel and petrol cars by 2030
- increasing woodland creation so that by 2029/30 18,000
hectares are planted every year, with 21% woodland cover in
Scotland by 2032
- increasing peatland restoration by 10% each year to 2030
The independent Climate Change Committee has emphasised the
necessity for shared delivery and collaboration between national
governments given between 30-60% of the emissions reduction
required in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be in
areas of policy that are mostly reserved.
A consultation on the proposals will run until the new year.
Climate Action Secretary said: “Raising awareness of
climate action has never been so important, with communities
across Scotland and around the world already being affected –
through flooding, heatwaves and wildfires.
“This draft plan includes over 150 actions across sectors such as
transport, heat in buildings and agriculture that are key to
achieving Scotland's net zero goal while supporting people to
make and adjust to the changes required.
“It also describes how we will seize and fairly distribute the
opportunities from the transition to net zero – from new jobs,
inclusive growth and better infrastructure to improved public
services and healthier people – thanks to cleaner air, warmer
homes and wealthier communities.
“The plan does not ask the impossible of people. We will not
sacrifice people's health or wealth.
“Through this consultation, everyone has a voice in shaping the
final plan to inform future decision making and ensure that we
reach our net zero in a way that is fair, ambitious and
capable of rising to the emergency before us.”
Notes to
editors
The draft Climate Change Plan
to 2040.
A consultation on the
Plan will run until 29 January 2026
The five-year carbon budget targets will reduce emissions by:
- 57% by 2030
- 69% by 2035
- 80% by 2040
- 94% by 2045 compared to 1990 levels
