Scotland Misses Climate Targets, CCC Urges Immediate Emissions Cuts

Scotland's Climate Change Committee (CCC) has issued new advice urging the Scottish Government to adopt a series of ambitious five-year carbon budgets aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2045. The CCC recommends steep emissions reductions, including a 57% cut by 2030 and 69% by 2035 relative to 1990 levels, acknowledging that the original 75% reduction target by 2030 will be delayed due to missed annual targets and policy setbacks. Central to the transition are electrification of transport and heating, with targets for widespread adoption of electric vehicles and low-carbon heat technologies such as heat pumps, alongside a significant expansion of renewable energy capacity. While the CCC estimates that delivering these carbon budgets will cost about 0.4% of Scotland's GDP annually, it highlights substantial economic benefits, including job creation, lower energy bills, and improved air quality. Climate groups and policy experts emphasize the need for immediate, coordinated action involving democratic participation and caution against over-reliance on unproven technologies. The Scottish Government has pledged to carefully consider the CCC’s recommendations and is expected to integrate them into forthcoming climate plans, although critics warn that previous delays and policy reversals have hindered progress.