Scotland emissions goal

Scotland is over three quarters of the way towards achieving its world leading target of 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Emissions fell by 14% between 2012 and 2013.

Latest data shows that Scotland’s emissions have fallen by 49.7 million tonnes in 2013. This is a reduction of 38.4% from 1990 levels. It also highlights that Scotland continues to outperform the rest of the UK as a whole. A 34.3% reduction in emissions has been achieved between 1990 and 2013.

Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod said:

“Scotland is well on track to meet our ambitious emissions targets, with these latest figures for 2013 showing we are more than three quarters of the way there with seven years still to go. Our emissions have fallen by 38.4 per cent from the 1990 baseline, outperforming the original 31.7 per cent reduction that was required to meet the 2013 annual fixed target.” “Today’s figures show that if it had not been for successive increases to the baseline since the targets were established, Scotland would have met, and exceeded, our target for this year - and the three previous years too. Of course, if our targets were easy to achieve they would not be ambitious enough. These are the level the international community needs to meet if the international climate treaty to be agreed in Paris later this year is to stand a good chance of limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius.” “As negotiations continue this week to agree the text of that treaty, the Scottish Government stands firm in our commitment to tackling climate change. I look forward to updating Parliament this afternoon on the comprehensive action being taken by the Scottish Government to meet our world-leading climate change targets.”??“Today’s figures also demonstrate how significantly Scotland’s progress depends on the policies and actions of others – especially the UK and EU. In the run up to Paris, I will continue to press the international community to look to Scotland and follow our example in striving for the highest global ambition to tackle climate change.”