Renewed focus needed on climate change targets, MSPs tell ministers
Urgent steps need to be taken by the Scottish Government if its ambitions climate change targets are not to be missed in future, according to a committee of MSPs.
In a seven page letter, the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change & Environment Committee (RACCE) has written to Aileen McLeod, the new Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform, to express its concerns in relation to the targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
In particular, the committee states:
- annual targets under the Act should not be reduced or adjusted, as this would send the wrong global message: the committee is disappointed that three successive annual targets have been missed, though is encouraged to note that overall emissions are reducing;
- low uptake in climate measures in agriculture must be urgently addressed, with consideration given to mandatory carbon reduction measures prior to the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2017;
- careful consideration should be given to specific powers and responsibilities with regard to climate change which could be devolved to Scotland as part of the planned further transfer of powers.
Ministers are also called on to outline the specific action they will take on the "huge challenges ahead" in tackling Scotland’s older hard to heat and hard to treat houses, and rural and fuel poverty.
Another concern for the committee is to ensure that data gathered from the private and public sectors is "compatible and comparable".
Committee convener Rob Gibson MSP commented: “The legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament commits Scotland to reducing emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and is world-leading in terms of ambition.
“However that ambition has to be translated into action. It is now time to activate real change in approach and behaviour across all underperforming sectors of society, both public and private.
“At a political level, we need to ensure phrases such as ‘all ministers are climate change ministers’, and ‘all committees are climate change committees’ are not just words and that responsibilities are understood and taken seriously."
He added: “But a change in approach and behaviour across all parts of society cannot be delivered by Government alone.
“We must support those who are not delivering as much as they can to make Scotland a world leader, and encourage them to engage and improve.”