Farmers' concerns as experts say Scotland "must move beyond" voluntary approach to meet CO2 targets

The Committee on Climate Change which has a statutory role as independent UK climate change advisers said progress needs to be improved and speeded up if ministers are to meet the fresh targets.

They say ministers should introduce a plan for compulsory soil testing and assess whether fertiliser use falls, otherwise they should consider compulsory limits on fertilisers.

The committee report, sent to Scottish ministers says that a focus on voluntary measures in the agricultural sector is "concerning" and that they "must move beyond" that approach.

Environmental campaigners are calling for a more ambitious strategy from the Scottish Government and for the country's new proposed Climate Change Bill to include a clear net zero emission target.

The committee's report acknowledges that Scotland is outperforming the rest of the UK in reducing greenhouse gas emissions - but says success in areas such as energy and waste is masking a lack of action in other sectors including agriculture and transport.

Total emissions fell by 10% in 2016 compared to 2015, and were 49% below 1990 levels.

Some 17.8% of Scotland's total energy came from renewable sources that year, outperforming the UK overall and putting the country ahead of the EU average of 16.7%.

But the committee's assessment said the primary reason for meeting recent targets was the closure of coal-fired power stations at Longannet and Cockenzie.

The committee says emissions from transport have increased each year since 2010 and that action in that area was "Scotland's biggest sectoral challenge".

Emissions from agriculture and forestry presented "substantial challenges", relying on voluntary measures as well as "uncertain" funding for targets in tree planting and peatland restoration.

"The final Climate Change Plan does not set out any non-voluntary measures and focuses on setting incentives instead of mandatory policies," the committee said.

Improved slurry management measures, for instance, could lead to a 2% cut in Scottish of agriculture emissions, but the committee says costs to farmers typically outweigh the benefits.

"A voluntary approach is likely to be insufficient due to financial barriers," the committee said.

“The Scottish government’s ambition is good but we need to see much more action, particularly on road transport, if Scotland is to achieve more rapid emissions reductions than the rest of the UK.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a coalition of civil society organisations campaigning together on cutting emissions, said it was now time for Scotland to "step up" action to cut carbon emissions.

. "While Scotland has done well in increasing electricity generation from renewable sources, emissions in those other sectors have either not reduced much, or have increased in the past decade," said campaigns manager Gail Wilson.

"We need to see serious, transformational policy change from Scottish Government in transport, home energy and agriculture. Doing so is not only good for the climate but increasing energy efficient homes and getting rid of dirty fossil fuelled vehicles from our roads have positive health benefits for everyone.

"It's essential that this policy action sits alongside a key driver to change - setting ambitious emissions targets in the new Climate Change Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament."

The National Farmers Union Scotland said pursuing a voluntary approach, rather than taking a regulatory approach, would deliver "much better results" in the long term.

“While that voluntary approach... is criticised by the Committee on Climate Change, such an approach must be given a proper chance to work and receive greater resources than currently so that the messages are shared as widely across the industry as possible," said NFUS's environment and land use policy manager, Andrew Midgley.

Committee chairman Lord Deben said: "Achieving a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, as envisaged within the new Climate Change Bill, means greater effort is now required across other areas of Scotland's economy. This includes policies to drive down emissions in sectors where they are either flat or rising, such as transport, agriculture and energy efficiency in buildings.

"Without real action in these areas, Scotland may fall short of its long-term goals."

The First Minister said last year she wanted to see sales of new petrol and diesel cars end in Scotland by 2032, eight years earlier than the UK government target. But the committee said it saw little evidence that the 2032 target would be met.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “The committee’s report shows Scotland continues to lead the UK in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and that we have met our statutory emission reduction target for the third successive year,” he said. “We will continue to look at what more we can do to address climate change and will consider the report’s recommendations carefully.”

The committee said ministers should also:

• consider free parking and special lanes for electric cars

• set targets for reducing nitrogen fertilisers in farming • plough more money into planting new forests to soak up CO2

• set tougher energy efficiency and low carbon heating standards in new homes.