Low Carbon Scotland Low Carbon Scotland 2016: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets

Join us at 3ppp’s leading fourth annual Low Carbon Scotland conference.

Low Carbon Scotland 2017 Driving the transition to a zero carbon economy is a unique conference that will address Scotland’s current carbon position and allow us to hear from those leading and driving the policies and proposals. One of the main focuses of the conference is to discuss how public sector can reduce their carbon emissions, the current situation will be highlighted and a discussion surrounding how this can be improved and delivered will play an imperative part within the conference with some world leading technologies & innovations of best practice to be showcased to our delegation.

The Scottish Government published “Low Carbon Scotland, Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-27″, the policy is a draft of the second report on proposals and policies (RPP2)

Scotland had set world leading climate change targets. With a target of 42% by 2020, Scotland are ahead of the UK at 34% and well ahead of the EU at 20%”.

In June 2016 Scotland has exceeded its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% - six years early.

New statistics show its 2014 emission levels were 45.8% lower than in 1990.

The Scottish government had set a target to reduce emissions by at least 42% by 2020, and 80% by 2050.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham welcomed the "outstanding progress" and confirmed that the government would now set a "new and more testing 2020 target".

Figures published on the Scottish government's website also revealed that Scotland met its annual climate change targets for the first time since 2010.

The government said the statistics showed that Scotland had outperformed the rest of the UK as a whole.

There was a 39.5% drop in Scottish source emissions between 1990 and 2014, compared to the UK's 33% reduction over the same period.

Individual action is important but the Scottish government needs to lead with the big policies for major emission reductions.

The Scottish Greens' climate change spokesman Mark Ruskell said the figures show things are "moving in the right direction".

But he added: "Transport remains the Scottish government's weak spot, with road traffic back to where it was in 2007 and the hugely-polluting aviation sector doubling its impact.

"If we're to stretch our climate targets further, ministers are going to have to transform their policies and budgets, and the Scottish Greens stand ready to help them make those changes."

Claudia Beamish, of Scottish Labour, said it was "no time to be resting on laurels", despite the welcome news.

She urged the government to target a 56% reduction in emissions by 2020 and to aspire to generate 50% of "our heat and transport demand" from renewables by 2030.

On the 19th January 2017, The Scottish government outlined a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham set out the government's draft climate change plan for the next 15 years at Holyrood.

She also targeted a fully-decarbonised electricity sector and 80% of domestic heat coming from low-carbon sources.

Ms Cunningham said the new targets demonstrated "a new level of ambition" to build a low-carbon economy and a healthier Scotland.

Goals to be achieved by 2032 include:

Ms Cunningham said: "Our proposals for further deep cuts in emissions represent a new level of ambition which will help maintain Scotland's reputation as a climate leader within the international community.

"The transition to a low-carbon economy offers important opportunities for Scotland - thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, the strength of our research institutions and, of course, our natural resources.

"The Scottish government's ambitions are clear, but we have now reached a point in our journey where future progress will require the support of individuals, organisations and businesses across the country.

"The publication of our draft Climate Change Plan provides an important opportunity for debate at Holyrood about the policies which should be implemented and the proposals which should be considered.

"That debate will help ensure the final version of the Climate Change Plan provides us with a blueprint for a fairer, greener, more prosperous nation.

Good progress has been made, but Scottish Government does not shy away from the fact that this will be a challenge and they cannot do it alone.

"Partnerships” are vital in overcoming the challenges and in discovering new opportunities.

Low Carbon Scotland 2017 Driving the transition to a zero carbon economy will be an opportunity for you to be part of this inspiring journey.

Supporting Scottish Government’s 66% CO2 Reduction Target for 2032