Scotland has passed a Climate Change Bill that targets a 75% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, one of the toughest targets in the world, with the bill passing even without the support of the Green Party, which urged for even tougher goals.
The bill was passed by 113 votes to zero. It introduces new legislation that increases the previous 70% target for emission reduction by 2030 compared to 1990s levels.
The bill also sets a legally-binding net-zero target of 2045, meaning any remaining emissions would have to be entirely offset with measures such as increased tree planting and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
The target for Scotland is five years ahead of the date set for the whole of the UK.
Scotland said it has already almost halved emissions since 1990.
Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Not only are we setting legally binding targets to reduce emissions to net-zero in direct response to the Paris Agreement, we are also putting in place the most stringent framework of statutory targets of any country in the world.
“The second half of Scotland’s journey to net-zero emissions will, undoubtedly, require different, and in many cases much more difficult, choices than has been the case to date but it is clear people across Scotland want to see action,” Cunningham said.
“Our end target is firmly based on what we are told is the limit of what can currently be achieved. It is the maximum possible ambition based upon the best available science and requires the UK to take action to meet their targets if Scotland is to meet ours,” she said.
Nevertheless, there is no clarity on what changes this new target will mean for Scotland or for its vast oil and gas industry.
Cunningham said: “While there is some uncertainty over the precise route that can be taken, we believe it is right to be as ambitious as possible to drive the action required to make the changes we need.”
Meanwhile, the bill was passed without the support of the Scottish Greens, who’s members abstained after MSPs rejected the party’s bid to target an 80% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Scottish Green climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “The lack of ambition on the ten-year timescale demanded by climate science, for example, ignores the demands of the tens of thousands who took to the streets last week.
“I secured some commitments, on warm homes and a citizens assembly, as well as some important new requirements on reporting and recording emissions, but let’s not pretend this bill is anywhere near meaningful action to address the climate emergency, Ruskell said.”
The Green party called for action to phase out reliance on fossil fuels, as well as for an integrated public transport system to cut car use and meeting warm homes commitments with mass retrofitting and reforesting Scotland.
Earlier this month, Scotland hosted one of the largest events in the industry focused on the offshore oil and gas industry.
The former head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change pulled no punches at Offshore Europe, telling oil and gas executives that the industry must face up to global warming and stop influencing politicians to retain the status quo at the same time as decarbonising.
Christiana Figueres said: “If you are seen to be decarbonising on the one side and lobbying against climate change on the other side, then you will totally lose whatever licence you have to operate — that is not what you want.
She said public sentiment is driving investors and politicians away from fossil fuels and warned that, while the oil and gas sector’s shelf life is more than five years, it is not more than 30 years.
“By 2050, we will have net zero emissions come what may because if we don’t... humanity... is condemned.”