Scottish Government drops 20% car use reduction target by 2030

The Scottish Government has announced it is abandoning its key climate target to reduce car use by 20% by 2030, citing the goal as unrealistic and unachievable. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop stated that the government will establish more realistic targets after consulting with the Climate Change Committee, following criticism from Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission regarding the lack of a clear plan and minimal progress. Hyslop acknowledged that car use significantly contributes to carbon emissions and emphasized the continued commitment to reducing car usage, though not at the originally stated level. Environmental advocates, such as Friends of the Earth Scotland, criticized the move as shameful, arguing it will disproportionately impact low-income households and public health. The government maintains its broader net zero emissions target for 2045 and plans to invest in regional and local transport projects to encourage alternatives to car travel. However, watchdog reports highlighted that achieving the original target would have required car usage to drop to levels not seen since 1994, and recent data showed only a slight decrease in car use since the pandemic.