In its 'Reducing emissions in Scotland: 2017 progress report', the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said Scotland met its emissions target in 2015, with physical emissions falling by 3% between 2014/15 and 'net' emissions dropping 41% compared with 1990 levels. In addition, it added an interim target of at least 42% reduction in net emissions by 2020 is 'well within reach'.
However, the organisation said despite making good progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector, more effort is needed to reduce emissions from the agriculture, transport and non-residential building sectors.
The report also added there is an unrealistic balance in the draft Climate Change Plan between the transport and buildings sectors.
It states: "Greater ambition will be required to reduce emissions in the transport sector, as announced in the recent Programme for Government, with less reliance on rapid deployment of low-carbon heating, with less reliance on rapid deployment of low-carbon heating. The Plan as it stands lacks credibility in meeting the emissions targets to 2032 and fails to prepare properly for deeper decarbonisation in the longer term.
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"The final version of the Plan will also need to be compatible with the Scottish Government's proposal to move to a 90% emissions reduction target for 2050 under the new climate change legislation."
However, the Committee added the recent Programme for Government announcement to phase out petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2032 indicates 'stronger action' to reduce emissions in the transport sector. This would decrease reliance on the rapid deployment of low-carbon heating in buildings by 2032, which while the Committee said is essential, it is unlikely to be feasible at the rate or level envisaged in the draft plan.
Despite plans to deploy Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology and proposals to increase tree planting to 15,000 hectares per year by the mid-2020s, the report concluded Scotland will not meet its proposed 90% emissions target for 2050 if it 'fails to lay the groundwork' over the period to 2030.
Chairman of the Committee, Lord Deben, said: "Scotland's level of ambition in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change is amongst the highest in the world. Our report shows that Scotland continues to lead the UK in this area, as Scotland's emissions continue to fall year on year.
"The Scottish Government's Climate Change Plan will deliver the next chapter of emissions reductions into the 2030s and beyond. It's therefore essential that further work is done to ramp up emissions reductions right across the Scottish economy and think through how to reduce emissions from heating Scotland's buildings and from transport, amongst other areas. The process of review and revision should enable this to happen in time for the adoption of the final Climate Change Plan early next year."
To view the report, visit here.
(LM)
