To achieve Net Zero targets, countries are forming new strategies and plans, but one nation is in the red zone for continuously failing its climate change plans. Yes, Scotland’s 2030 climate goals are under doubt by Climate committee casts due to continuous delays and lack of general strategy in their plans. They need to meet targets in key sectors to achieve their 2030 targets, but this seems a bit difficult.
Climate Change Committee no longer believes what the Scottish government laid down as their statutory 2030 goals to reduce emissions by 75%. This happened due to continued delays in the climate change plan and further inaccuracy in meeting the promised climate policies. Moreover, Scotland has no general strategy to achieve the Net Zero target.
Last year, the Scottish Government delayed their draft on Climate Change plan irrespective of the fact that they only have 6 years to achieve the 2030 target. This way they have left an important period without forming and implying adequate policies or actions.
This is the 8th time since 12 years that they have failed to achieve their targets which is why Scotland’s 2030 climate goals are no longer credible.
Professor Piers Forster, interim Chair of the Climate Change Committee, said, “Scotland has laudable ambitions to decarbonize, but it isn’t enough to set a target; the Government must act. There are risks in all reviewed areas, including those with significant policy powers devolved to the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Climate Change Plan needs to be published urgently, so we can assess it. We need to see actions that will deliver on its future targets.”
This is not the first time that Scotland is in such a scenario because they missed their annual target for 2021. Electricity supply and industry were the only sectors in which they reduced emissions in 2021. But important indicators, like tree planting, heat pump installation and peatland restoration rates, are out of the picture.
Actions Needed to Reduce Emissions in Scotland
There is a dire need to rapidly reduce emissions in buildings and transport sectors. This way they could meet the targets laid down in the Climate Change Plan update (CCPu), 2020.
- Buildings – As per 2020 CCPu, heating building emissions should be decreased around 71% by 2030. This results in the annual emission reduction rate increasing by around a factor of 10.
- Transportation – According to the update, Scotland needs to reduce transport emissions by 44% to meet 2030 targets. Overall, the annual emission reduction rate to be increased by a factor of 4. Their practical delivery plans should focus on delivering and improving EV charging infrastructure and to develop better aviation plans.
- Agriculture and Land Use – The CCPu 2020 requires emissions from this sector to decrease by 11% by 2030. Considering Scotland’s woodland creation, they need to double their recent rate.
- Engineered GHG Removals – The country’s Acorn carbon capture cluster has received Track 2 status. But to achieve their own aim, the Scottish Government should evaluate the deployment potential of Acorn, which for 3.8 MtCO2 engineered removals by 2030.
The Scottish Government published Negative Emissions Technologies (NETS): Feasibility Study in 2023. According to this, the estimated potential is 2.2 MtCO2 by 2030 in the country.
Scotland’s 2030 climate goals are under doubt by Climate Committee Casts but the proposed closure of Grangemouth refinery is an example that communities, government and industries should have open discussions. But any further delay in drafting the Climate Change Plan will result in reduced progress on these strategic issues.
Source: Scotland’s 2030 climate goals are no longer credible
