Scottish Government must urgently restore ambition on climate
The Scottish Government must urgently restore ambition on climate, say Scottish Greens.
These comments come following the publication of the Scottish Government’s 5th Annual Statutory Monitoring Report for the Updated Climate Change Plan.
The report revealed that out of 43 climate policy indicators, only 16 are on track, while 17 are off track and 10 are deemed ‘too early to say’. This is worse than last year’s report, when 18 were on track, 15 were off track, and 10 were too early to say.
Stalled progress was reported on emissions from transport, energy efficiency in homes, transport, energy efficiency in homes, and peatland restoration - amongst others.
This monitoring report comes the day before UKCCC publishes advice to the Scottish Government ahead of setting new carbon budgets later this year.
Commenting further, Patrick Harvie, net zero and energy spokesperson, said:
“This is a damning report card for the Scottish Government.
“But the problem isn’t just that they have fallen further behind on climate over the last year; it’s that they have spent that year diluting, delaying and ditching climate positive policies they previously agreed to.
“Unless we see a change in direction, next year’s report card will be even worse - with people and planet left to deal with the consequences.
“The next few months will be an important test of this Government’s commitments to climate action. We cannot afford another year of delay on decisions that should have been made years ago.“We need decisive action to make our homes warmer and cheaper to heat cleanly. We need proper investment in cheap public transport to reduce car traffic. And we need a Government that’s brave and bold enough to champion climate action - not just offer warm words.”