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Reducing emissions in Scotland – 2017 progress report

This is the Committee’s sixth report on Scotland’s progress towards meeting emission reduction targets, as requested by Scottish Ministers under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

In addition to assessing the most recent emissions reductions, the report also:

  • assesses the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan, which sets out how it intends to meet the legislated emissions targets to 2032, on the way to reducing emissions by at least 80% by 2050.
  • considers the Scottish Government’s proposal to move to a more ambitious 90% target for emissions reduction by 2050.

The key findings of the report are:

  • Scotland met its emissions target in 2015.
  • More effort is needed to reduce emissions from other sectors of the Scottish economy, alongside the good progress made in electricity.
  • The balance of effort in the draft Climate Change Plan between the transport and buildings sectors is unrealistic. However, the recent Programme for Government announcement indicates stronger action to reduce emissions from the transport sector.
  • The draft Climate Change Plan contains limited new policy to deliver emissions reductions to 2032 beyond existing commitments.

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