Scotland must rise to Climate Bill challenge: ECCI

The Scottish Government’s Climate Change Bill, published today, sets a target of 90 per cent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and gives powers for Scottish Ministers to set a year by which to achieve net-zero emissions.

Responding to the publication of the Bill, Andy Kerr, Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) and Professor of Low Carbon and Climate Innovation at the University of Edinburgh, said:

“This Bill sets out increased ambition for emissions reductions in law and simplifies our climate targets, both of which are hugely positive steps.

“Scotland leads the world in climate action, but progress so far has been heavily reliant on easy wins such as increasing renewable energy and reducing waste.

“The challenge now is how we bring about transformational change in areas such as heating and transport in ways that bring huge benefits across our economy and society.

“The ambition is there, and technological solutions are ready and waiting – now Scotland must rise to the challenge of moving to a clean, thriving economy.

“ECCI will continue to provide the best evidence to policy-makers and catalyse people, networks and entrepreneurs to create the change we need.”

ClimateXChange, which ECCI hosts and joint manages, delivered research comparing greenhouse gas accounting schemes and looking at the potential economic impact of climate change as part of the evidence used in preparing the Bill. ClimateXChange researchers also delivered evidence and analysis for government policy teams involved in drafting the Climate Change Plan.

If you are a member of the media and would like more information, please contact Helen Dunk in the ECCI communications team.