New legislation will put Scotland at the forefront of global action on climate change, the Scottish Government today said.
New legislation will put Scotland at the forefront of global action on climate change, the Scottish Government today said.
The Scottish climate change Bill published today sets out a long term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
It also sets out measures to tackle shipping and aviation emissions.
"The measures set out in the Bill show that Scotland is at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change," climate change minister Stewart Stevenson said.
"Achieving these targets will be challenging.
"But I am confident that government, business and the people of Scotland are ready to rise to the challenge of climate change."
Annual targets will play a key role in delivering this, through a mixture of legislation and other measures.
A 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is among the flagship targets which will become part of a legal framework, as well as the the 2050 target.
The Bill allows ministers to establish a Scottish Committee on Climate Change, or similar body, to exercise advisory functions.
It will include international aviation and shipping within its targets, as well as emissions from all six greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide.
More than 21,000 responses were received during a consultation on draft legislation.
The minister admitted today that targets are not an end in themselves, but stressed the importance of delivery.
"This is why we are developing a range of short, medium and long term policy options to drive the changes needed to meet our ambitious targets, he added.
"These options will be published next year.
"As a government we are determined to have carbon assessment at the heart of our decision-making. We are breaking new ground with our carbon assessment project which will ensure climate change impacts are considered in future budgets and spending decisions."
The Bill also sets out the role the forestry sector can play in reducing emissions, through areas like renewable energy measures and woodland creation.
Measures on energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, as well as packaging are also included.
It also gives ministers the powers to make retailers charge for the supply of carrier bags, although it insists legislation will be a "last resort".
Some shops already charge for such bags.
