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Climate campaigners say a new report shows the Scottish Government must do more if Scotland is to reduce carbon emissions and reap the benefits of becoming a low carbon economy.

The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) coalition was responding to a new assessment of Scotland’s progress towards meeting its legally-binding greenhouse gas emission targets.

The report, published today by the UK Committee on Climate Change (UK CCC), says Scotland is making some headway, but that the Scottish Government needs to do more to achieve future emissions reductions.

Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

“Taking action on climate change will create a better Scotland, where we have warmer homes, healthier transport options, and cleaner air.

“And that will make for a fairer world, where we play our part in avoiding catastrophic climate change that would cause chaos and misery for millions of people around the globe. That would also mean a safer Scotland, where we are at less risk from flooding and extreme weather.

“Scottish Ministers can make changes right now to ensure that emissions from all sectors reduce year on year.”

On transport, the UK CCC recommends that the Scottish Government rolls out the ‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ programme, which piloted in seven locations across Scotland, encouraging people to use public transport and to cycle and walk more.

The report also calls on the Scottish Government to increase support and funding for people and businesses who want to heat their homes and premises using renewable energy such as solar and small-scale biomass.

Ballantine said:

“The CCC is right to say that additional opportunities must be found to reduce Scotland’s emissions. Stop Climate Chaos would like to see quick action from the Scottish Government on these recommendations.

“Given what the international scientific community is telling us, now is the time to do even more to tackle climate change.

“Scotland has rightly set out to be a world-leader on climate change. It is imperative that we now show that it is possible to make it happen, and, at the same time, the Scottish people can benefit from the changes made.