David Kennedy, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) was today joined by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, at the Scottish launch of the Committee’s first annual report to Parliament.

The Climate Change Act requires the CCC to report to the UK Parliament each year on emissions reductions relative to the UK’s carbon budgets. The CCC’s first report to Parliament concludes that a step change is needed in the pace of UK emissions reduction to meet carbon budgets, and that this will require new policy approaches in key areas.

The CCC’s report found that over the past five years UK emissions have fallen each year by around 0.5%. In Scotland CO2 emissions have fallen by 1.5% in the last five years. Going forward emissions reductions of 2-3% per annum will be required and the UK and Scotland will need to contribute to this reduction.

The Scottish Government has an important role to play addressing these opportunities given its control over a number of key policy levers. These include powers over planning for infrastructure investments, promoting energy efficiency and setting building standards.

Scotland has an ambitious policy on climate change and its own Climate Change (Scotland) Act which received Royal Assent on 4th August 2009. The Act commits Scotland to reduce its emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, with an interim target for 2020 of a 42% reduction (subject to advice from the Committee).

David Kennedy said:

“It is essential that much more effort is made in reducing emissions. This will require leadership at UK and national levels. The Scottish Government has an important role to play in unlocking the significant opportunities for emissions reductions in our buildings, on our roads and in the generation of electricity. Progress has been made but further progress is needed if emissions are to be reduced as required“

Speaking at the event in Edinburgh the minister said:
“Climate change is the biggest environmental threat that we face and the Scottish Government has a clear duty to support international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We recognise that climate change will have far reaching effects on Scotland’s economy, its people and its environment and are committed to playing our part in rising to this challenge.”

Carbon budgets can be achieved by;

• Using cleaner forms of generating electricity such as wind generation, nuclear and clean coal (Carbon Capture and Storage).

• Improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings

• Improving fuel-efficiency of new cars and ensuring widespread roll-out of electric cars in the UK by 2020.