2009 Shows Fall In Emissions

Scotland’s 2009 emissions fell three per cent below the 2010 target according to the report of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The report is the first assessment of the Scottish Government’s progress towards meeting climate change targets.

It also indicates that final emissions data for 2010 is likely to show a rise in emissions, due to the cold winter weather that was experienced at the beginning and end of 2010.

Key findings include:

• Scottish emissions fell in 2009 and were three per cent below the level of the first legislated target for 2010
• Emissions are likely to have risen in 2010 as a result of the cold weather
• Policies in our first Report on Policies and Proposals (RPP) have made a positive contribution to emissions abatement
• Strengthening of existing policies in the RPP and new policies will be required to sustain/increase the rate of progress and meet future targets

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson said:

“The UK Committee on Climate Change Committee report is a welcome contribution to our understanding of what we need to do to achieve our climate change targets.

“I am pleased to note the committee’s acknowledgement of the positive contribution the policies in our first Report on Policies and Proposals (RPP) have made to emissions abatement. Our next RPP, which is due later this year, will also include a review of the current actions we are taking to reduce emissions.”

Scotland is already almost two thirds of the way towards achieving the 42% 2020 emissions reduction target.