SCOTLAND has long been recognised as punching above its weight on tackling climate change and I am proud that the introduction of our new Climate Change Bill this week strengthens our global leadership.

The Bill sets the most ambitious, legally binding, domestic emissions reduction targets of any country in the world.

Many people have called on the Government to set a 100 per cent or "net zero" target for 2050 or sooner. This is the right goal and the Scottish Government wants to achieve it as soon as possible. And yet I have introduced a Bill with a 90 per cent target for 2050, not 100 per cent. This was a hard decision, and I want to explain why it’s the right thing to do.

I believe that statutory targets must be both credible and responsible. Our independent expert advisers, the UK Committee on Climate Change, have told us that a 90 per cent target is “at the limit of feasibility”. If we set overly ambitious targets and technology doesn’t develop to meet them, we would need to make radical changes to lifestyles in Scotland. For example, food can’t be produced without generating greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from farming beyond what can be achieved through efficiency and technology would mean reducing the amount of food produced here. That would mean fundamental changes to Scotland’s rural economy and increase our reliance on imports.

There could be implications for other jobs too. Power generation, oil refining, ship building, manufacturing and renewables, all emit greenhouse gases.

To be successful, we must create an environment in which industries can transition smoothly to a low or zero-carbon future. That can’t be achieved overnight – it is a generational challenge.

Whatever decision is taken on the targets, achieving them will be a truly national endeavour and everyone will need to play their part in full. I am optimistic that we can, collectively, do the right thing for the climate and for Scotland.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP is Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform

GOVERNMENT POLICY MUST BE DESIGNED AROUND CONSUMERS

While the new carbon emissions reduction target of 90 per cent by 2050 has been criticised, the associated interim targets are amongst the most ambitious in the world. They are a challenge to individuals, businesses and government.

Our research shows that 73 per cent of Scots agree on the need to tackle climate change. Crucially however, they don’t see cutting domestic energy use as an important factor in achieving this. Therefore if the government’s targets are going to be met, more must be done to communicate to people why their choices, and their use of energy, matter.

Carbon efficient homes and lifestyles should become something people aspire to have, rather than be told to pay for. And taking the practical steps needed to cut emissions must be made easy for them. That means government policies must be designed around consumers.

A good example is the efforts people will need to make to ensure their homes are more energy efficient. Many of Scotland’s privately owned houses remain poorly insulated – 61 per cent are rated below EPC band C. In the past upgrading the energy efficiency of their homes has required consumers to navigate their way through a series of complex issues, from choosing suppliers to accessing finance schemes. Our research identified that only by simplifying this process can we hope to maximise the number of energy efficient homes. We’ve called for a one-stop shop, so households can approach one, trustworthy organisation which will do everything that’s required.

The cost of home upgrades is also a practical barrier for many. While energy efficiency measures may lead to lower energy bills in the long run, many households simply won’t be able to afford the upfront costs. It is important that low income and vulnerable families are given the appropriate support to make the required changes.

Sam Ghibaldan, Head of Utilities, Citizens Advice Scotland

WARM, cheap-to-heat housing, affordable trains and convenient local bus services, and good food with minimal waste – everyone’s lives could be so much better if we seize the opportunity presented by Scotland’s new Climate Change laws.

Now is the time we all took bold action to deliver a cleaner and greener Scotland and on Wednesday the Scottish Government published its proposed Climate Change Bill. However, to the disappointment of many environmental campaigners, it fails to set a date for a net zero-carbon target. This is no time to reign in our ambitions as leading climate scientists suggesting that global emissions must peak by 2020 to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change. This is the time for bold steps. Scotland’s new Climate Change Bill must encourage radical changes to take place in the next three years across transport, urban and agricultural sectors if we are to have a serious chance of hitting peak emissions early and building a fairer, greener society.

The urgency with which we must respond to this challenge is why the Scottish Greens are calling for the bill to set a net zero carbon target for 2040. The Government’s Bill falls short of setting a target, but if we’re to keep apace with countries such as Sweden and New Zealand we must set a date to drive the policy innovation that’s required. The Government is dragging its feet on setting a target, allowing us to carry on with business as usual: dualling major roads rather than providing affordable public transport options, holding multiple public consultations on energy efficiency rather than rolling out a nationwide household retrofitting programme. The new Climate Change Bill is an opportunity be and provide the steer for policies that transition us to a low carbon Scotland by 2040.

Mark Ruskell MSP is Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens