Scotland's Climate Plan: ECCI reaction

The Scottish Government's Climate Change Plan, published today (Wednesday 28 February 2018), sets out how Scotland will deliver the necessary emission reductions over the next 15 years to meet 2032 targets - which will put Scotland on course for a near zero carbon target by 2050.

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:

“From setting - and being on track to meet - its world-leading climate targets, Scotland punches well above its weight on climate action. 

"It’s good to see this momentum maintained today in setting out plans for the next 15 years.

“In many ways, we’ve made the easier changes already – shifting to renewable electricity, gradually reducing waste and boosting energy efficiency. Now it’s time to move on to bigger challenges.

“Decarbonising transport, heating and agriculture will require innovation and commitment to implementation that goes beyond what we’ve already seen, bringing enormous opportunities and social and economic benefits to create a clean and thriving economy.

“ECCI is focussed on continuing to provide the best evidence to policy-makers, and catalysing people, networks and entrepreneurs to ensure we rise to the challenge.”

Want to know more?

ECCI is the base for and joint manages ClimateXChange, Scotland’s centre of expertise on climate change. Find out how ClimateXChange has delivered evidence and analysis for government policy teams involved in drafting the Climate Change Plan.

We also host the secretariat for Scotland's 2020 Climate Group, a business-led initiative which stimulates collaboration between industry, government and wider society to ensure Scotland grows its economy sustainably. Read Group Board member Graeme Dickson's blog on what we need to do to shape Scotland into a thriving low carbon economy.