Committee on Climate Change

John Swinney MSP is Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and was leader of the Scottish National Party between 2000 and 2004.  He studied politics at Edinburgh University and is a keen hill-walker and cyclist.

1.    What can be done in Scotland to tackle climate change?
Climate change is the greatest environmental threat that we face and it’s the poor and the vulnerable, as well as developing countries, that will be worst affected. So, Scotland has a clear duty to support international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But, as well as this, Scotland aims to become a leading nation in developing a sustainable way of life, reducing the impact its people have on the local and global environment. With a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind resource, coupled with high levels of skills and innovative businesses, Scotland has the potential to become the green energy capital of Europe and a world leader in offshore renewable energy technology and carbon capture and storage. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 commits Scotland to reduce its emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020 and at least 80 per cent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The Bill is unprecedented in its ambition and will set the framework for future governments in Scotland to achieve ambitious targets that will challenge all parts of society.

2.    What do you think are the main challenges that you face in meeting the targets?
Legislation alone won't deliver the targets. We have already published a delivery plan that sets out in a very high-level way what needs to be done and we will develop the detail of that over the coming year. This needs to be translated into real changes in everyday actions by businesses; the public sector; voluntary and community groups and individuals. Better public understanding is essential if people are to be motivated to act. The Scottish Government, its agencies and its non-government partners will need to work together to explain what's needed and to incentivise action. Alongside that, action is needed to reduce the emissions from transport, housing, business, land management and other sources. The nation must also become better informed consumers. The public sector is a substantial purchaser in its own right and can encourage the development of greener goods and services.

3.    How does Scotland’s devolved responsibility impact on what it can do to address climate change?
The current economic crisis has clearly demonstrated many weaknesses in the existing constitutional system. Scotland has very limited scope to adjust taxation or increase expenditure to provide a fiscal stimulus. The Scottish Government cannot borrow money to fund public works or make changes to benefits, pensions or tax credits to meet Scottish needs. Instead, Scotland is dependent on the decisions made by the United Kingdom Government at Westminster. Choices are also limited on issues such as climate change, investment in renewable energy, and in how Scotland's voice is heard in Europe and internationally.  


4.    How do you plan to work with other devolved administrations and the UK government in achieving your goals?
Scotland is leading the rest of the UK in its commitment to addressing climate change but it is also essential that we work with other devolved administrations and the UK government in working towards our target. The UK Government’s decision to ‘investigate' raising regulatory standards for energy efficiency of housing is to be welcomed as Scotland has been seeing the benefits of this for some time. Similarly, we welcome UK Government support for European Marine Energy Centre in giving more support to find ways of using wave and tidal power. We have already outlined the benefits of this in our own Renewable Action Plan. We will work with the UK Government on grid network development in the UK and Europe to manage more electricity from more varied sources and working with industry to set out a policy roadmap by the end of the year.

5.    What are you doing in Scotland to reduce the Parliament’s own carbon footprint and what is it currently?
We can’t speak for the Parliament but as a Government, we will be showing leadership and complying with the duty that the Climate Change Act places on Scottish public bodies. The Scottish Government’s Greener Scotland Leading by Example Group is providing leadership on environmental performance across the public sector. Participation in the Carbon Trusts Carbon Management Programme during 2008/09 led to the publication of the Scottish Government’s own Carbon Management Plan which was published on 27 May 2009.  The Carbon Management Plan highlights projects with a potential to achieve a 20 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions by 2014 from a baseline of 2007/08 (4000 tonnes CO2).