New Scottish emissions targets a 'turning point' - ECCI's Ed Craig
Responding to the publication of a landmark report on UK emissions and moves by the Scottish Government to set statutory targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, Ed Craig, Interim Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, said:
“The ambition set out in the Committee’s report and the Scottish Government emissions targets announced today could make this a turning point in our work to deliver a thriving zero carbon future.
“Rising to the climate challenge with these bold new targets for Scotland will unlock huge benefits, from exciting new innovations and industries to healthier, smarter cities both locally and globally.
“Scotland has made huge strides in climate action, but much of the low hanging fruit - greening our electricity and improving recycling - has been picked. We now need to set our sights higher and become a global model.
“ECCI will keep working to achieve transformation on the scale now required by catalysing collaborative action across industry, agriculture, research, government and communities to create a better future for all.”
The report, by independent experts Committee on Climate Change, calls for the UK to adopt a net-zero greenhouse gas emission target for 2050. In response, the Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Climate Change Bill currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament to:
- Set a legally-binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with Scotland becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
- Reduce emissions by 70% by 2030 and 90% by 2040 – the most ambitious statutory targets in the world for these years.
Want to know more?
Read ClimateXChange Programme Manager Dr Dan Barlow's blog about the Committee on Climate Change's advice.