The public consultation on the draft Scottish Climate Change Bill opened on 30 June 2017, and is open for submissions until 22 September 2017.
Action to mitigate climate change is a key component of the Scottish Government’s aim to create a growing, sustainable and inclusive economy. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 set world-leading greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, including a target to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.
The Scottish Government intends to introduce a new Climate Change Bill with even more ambitious targets. Proposals include setting targets based on actual emissions, increasing the 2050 target to 90% emissions reduction, and making provisions for a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target to be set when a credible and costed pathway can be demonstrated.
The Scottish Government have already received advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change, our expert advisors, on how the new Bill may look, including the level of ambition of new Scottish climate targets, and the accounting framework within which to measure emissions. This advice has been carefully considered by the Scottish Government, in discussion with key stakeholders, and forms the basis of the proposals set out in this consultation paper.
We are now seeking the views of a broader range of stakeholders and members of the public on a set of proposals for a new Climate Change Bill. The consultation has thirteen questions, of which three are about the level of ambition of the targets. Nine of the questions are about the technical underpinnings of target measurement and functioning of the Act. These questions are more likely to be of interest to key stakeholders and professionals with a high level of understanding of the issues. The final question asks respondents to provide any additional thoughts on the consultation not covered elsewhere. Following the close of the consultation on the 22nd September, all responses will be given full consideration as part of the process to finalise the Bill.