Scotland's Taking Action
Scotland is living in a global climate emergency. As we start to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic we have the chance to make positive changes to help tackle climate change and reach net zero emissions in a way that is just and fair. But we need everyone to take action and play their part. It’s time for change. With the wellbeing and safety of the world’s population at stake, we need to succeed. And together we can. Let’s do net zero.
Scotland's Commitment
Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to declare a climate emergency and in the the last 30 years we've halved our greenhouse gas emissions. As part of our ongoing commitment to protect people and our planet, we've set a world-leading target to reach net zero emissions by 2045.
Net Zero is vital for people, nature and our climate. It will bring new opportunities, transform our economy and our society and we are committed to getting there in a way that is fair, leaves no one behind and benefits all of us.
Our goal, as we move away from carbon intensive industries, is to make the economy work for everyone so no one is left behind, whilst protecting our planet. The journey to create a better future for everyone - regardless of where they live, what they do and who they are – is known as a ‘Just Transition’. Our green recovery will help build infrastructure for things like electric vehicles, heating, aviation, marine and renewables. And we’re already building resilience to the impacts of climate change by investing in flood risk management to protect our iconic coastlines. The opportunities for innovative net zero solutions, products and services is enormous and growing – Scotland can harness these to help grow our economy.
What’s the plan?
The Scottish Government has set out short, medium and long term goals and when they are to be achieved by in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019.
Here are some of the most recent commitments that the Scottish Government has set out in the Programme for Government to tackle climate change and help Scotland and its people get to net zero:
- £1.6bn to transform our homes and buildings over the next Parliament.
- £100m to a new Green Jobs Fund to support businesses which provide sustainable and/or low carbon products and services to develop, grow and create jobs.
- Investment in green jobs and skills as part of the green recovery, including a £60m Youth Guarantee, increased opportunities for ‘green’ apprenticeships across public sector bodies and £25m National Transition Training Fund with a focus on provision of green skills.
- £60 million to support the industrial manufacturing sector including the £34m Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and £26m Manufacturing Low Carbon Infrastructure Challenge Fund.
At COP26 in Glasgow we played our part to achieve lasting climate action, by raising ambition and recognising the need for the world to work together. Now – more than ever – we’re striving to get to Net Zero in a way that’s fair and just for everyone.
COP26 Outcomes
- Over the course of COP26 Scotland put £2 million towards the on the table for loss and damage and, in doing so, became the first developed country to step up.
- Scotland helped the voices of children and young people to be heard at COP26 by funding the Conference of Youth (COY16 organised by YOUNGO). We also endorsed the UNICEF declaration on children, youth and climate action.
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Through our co-chairing of the Under2 Coalition, we supported all U2 members (states, regions and cities) to commit to reach net zero by 2050, and earlier where possible. Collectively the U2 Coalition represents almost 2 billion people and accounts for half of global GDP.
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More than 200 cities and states have now signed up to the Edinburgh declaration on biodiversity. This declaration which commits signatories to take transformative action to protect nature and halt biodiversity loss around the globe.
- Scotland is committing over £100 million to advance cleaner energy and make Scotland a leading hydrogen producer.
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Scotland announced proposals to more than double Scotland’s onshore wind capacity by 2030.
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Scotland committed to restoring and expanding its rainforest.
COP26 Event Recordings
During COP26, the Scottish Government and partners hosted an exciting programme of digital events to showcase the best of Scotland's climate action.
Success Stories
Scotland's businesses are taking action
Building on sustainable foundations to protect an island landscape for future generations
Located in Skye’s coastal village of Waternish, Skyeskyns produces the highest quality sheepskins. With the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skyeskyns has built upon its sustainable foundations and implemented various innovative initiatives across the company.
Hospitality firm reaping the benefits of embarking on the journey to net-zero
With support from across the public sector, including Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway, Oak Tree Inn has implemented various innovative initiatives across the company in order to become more sustainable.
Clothing rental firm shows journey to net zero is in fashion
One business that has been committed to sustainability since its inception in 1997 is ACS Clothing, a Rental and Resale reverse logistics provider in the fashion rental industry.
The Remakery
Bridging the digital divide by connecting to the earth.
What can I do?
From eater greener to electric vehicles, everything we do adds up. Find out what actions you can take and let's do net zero together.
Food
Greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy and resources required to produce, process, package, transport and cook food. But there are lots of things we can do to limit the climate impact of food, such as buying locally, choosing food that’s in season, using meal planning to avoid any wastage, recycling food waste or using it as compost.
Almost two thirds of the food waste in Scotland comes directly from households. That’s why the Scottish Government has developed a Food Waste Reduction Action Plan to reduce food waste by 33% by 2025. As well as reducing food waste, we must also recycle it. If food waste is thrown in landfill instead of being properly recycled it rots, creating the greenhouse gas methane which is even more harmful to the planet than carbon dioxide. By reducing and recycling food waste we can significantly reduce emissions and reach net zero.
Reduce and Reuse
Over the past 20 years, Scotland’s progress in reducing waste emissions has been ongoing - the amount of total waste going to landfill in Scotland has dropped by nearly a third over the past decade, but we need to do more to maintain progress and meet our net zero emissions target.
Around three-quarters of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from the goods, materials and services we produce and use. We need to think about the things we buy and choose more sustainable options. As shops open up again, it’s important to consider our buying habits and how essential it is to make new purchases. Reducing, reusing, repairing and recycling clothing, furniture and electrical items, will lower the carbon emissions and resources used that come from purchasing everything new all of the time. Consider whether that item is necessary to purchase or decide if it can be borrowed from family or friends, rented or, if not, whether a second hand purchase can be made. Look out for the Revolve quality standard for second hand stores so that you can buy second hand with confidence. By moving to a circular economy where goods and materials are kept in circulation for as long as possible, we can help Scotland reach net zero emissions.
Travel
Transport is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, accounting for nearly 36%. Choosing to travel shorter everyday journeys by walking, wheeling or cycling helps reduce emissions, whilst keeping us healthier and happier. We’re supporting people to choose greener travel options by creating clean, safe spaces where we can all choose more active ways to get around. Over the next five years we're investing over £500 million to deliver active travel infrastructure and programmes that encourage people to make the switch to sustainable travel. Interest free loans are also available to help with the cost of purchasing an e-bike or e-cargo bike.
We’re investing over half a billion pounds in infrastructure for buses to reduce the impact of congestion and help increase the number of people who use the bus to travel. One double decker bus is the equivalent of removing 75 single occupancy cars from Scotland’s roads. We recently invested over £40 million in zero emission buses, many of these built in Falkirk, supporting skilled, green manufacturing jobs as well as reducing transport emissions. In addition to the work underway to transform bus travel, we plan to decarbonise rail travel and create the first zero emissions aviation region in the Highlands and Islands.
We’re also phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 to help reach our net zero emissions target - electric vehicles don’t produce any tailpipe CO2 emissions and have a much lower carbon impact overall. To support the move to electric vehicles, we’ve invested over £40 million to establish one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks in the UK – ChargePlace Scotland. Financial support is also available to support the switch to electric vehicles including a grant to have a charge point installed at home. So far, we’ve provided over £80 million of funding to help people make the switch to low carbon vehicles. To apply for an electric vehicle loan, contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org.
Energy
Renewable electricity and Scotland’s offshore wind farm
In 2019 the equivalent of nearly 90% of the electricity we used came from renewables and provisional data indicates that this rose to over 95% in 2020. We’re home to the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, located just off Peterhead. And in 2020 we made up almost a quarter of the UK’s renewable electricity generation, with most of this coming from wind.
Climate change Scotland
How we heat our homes contributes significantly to climate change - around 23% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from heating our homes and workplaces. To make a green recovery in Scotland and meet our net zero targets, we need to reduce and ultimately remove emissions from heating our homes by switching to zero emissions heating and upgrading them so they’re more energy efficient, warm, and comfortable. The good news is that this can also help make your home cheaper to heat.
We’ve already made progress on energy efficiency, with 45% of homes now achieving EPC C or better, but we all need to make more energy efficient choices to help tackle climate change, like installing zero emissions heating systems such as heat pumps and heat networks. Our aim is that by 2030 over 1 million homes and around 50,000 buildings are converted to use these systems. That’s why we’re stepping up our investment over the next five years, with £1.8 billion of investment being made available by the Scottish Government to support the installation of zero direct emissions heating and energy efficiency measures in homes and buildings across Scotland.
Get support to make your home greener with Home Energy Scotland
Making your home greener by upgrading to a zero emissions heating system and installing insulation, for example, can dramatically help improve the efficiency of your heating. A home that isn’t well insulated can lose more than 50% of its heat through its roof and walls so making improvements can help to lower your bills as well as lowering emissions. You can check out our guides on taking action to save energy here: netzeronation.scot/take-action/home-energy
With the rising cost of living, it’s understandable if you’re put off taking action to make your home more energy efficient. But Home Energy Scotland, from the Scottish Government, can provide you with free and impartial advice on a range of funding, including grants, and other support available to make your home greener, warmer, and cheaper to heat. You could get help worth up to £5,000 to cover the cost of installing energy efficiency heating measures. Home Energy Scotland will check what you’re eligible for, call them today on 0808 808 2282 or visit homeenergyscotland.org/funding/grants-loans/
For our partners
Use our campaign toolkit to show Scotland's solidarity and participation in responding to the global climate emergency.
Take Action – starting today
Families and individuals, businesses and Government, all of Scotland has a part to play in tackling climate change and reaching net zero emissions. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown we are able and willing to make radical changes to our way of life in the face of crisis; we must use this energy in the fight against climate change.
