The good news is that Greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland have dropped by 21% since 1990, according to Scottish government statistics. The newly released figures for 2008 reveal that Scotland's emissions fell by more than a fifth when taking emissions trading within the EU into account. Now, the not so good news, despite this recorded drop, emissions from transport - which excluded international aviation and shipping - rose by 7%. The Scottish Government said that Scotland was now half way towards its goal of reducing emissions by 42% by 2020.
Back in June 2009, the Scottish Parliament passed important Landmark legislation to help Scotland tackle the threat of climate change. Interestingly enough the legislation was passed unanimously by MSPs. Scottish Minsters set themselves tough targets, aiming for a 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, which will rise to 80% by 2050.
The Scottish plan is certainly more ambitious than anything that has emerged from any recent Westminster proposals. Aside from meeting carbon targets, the legislation also aimed to boost renewable energy and drive forward an improvement in energy efficiency. What's also worth noting is that there was a pretty unanimous consent for this legislation, which cleared the last parliamentary hurdle , after Scottish ministers raised their original 2020 target from 34% to 40%. Oh for intelligent debate and legislative powers...
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