Tuesday 1 February 2011

Scotland gets carbon cuts target from Climate Change Committee

The Committee on Climate Change has advised the Scottish government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3.5% each year from 2020 to 2050.

The committee was asked to recommend a cumulative emissions budget for Scotland between 2010 and 2050.

Options highlighted by the committee to reduce emissions include a greater use of heat pumps in buildings and homes; a greater focus on electric vehicles and more biomass and biogas technology used in industry.

The committee also said emissions could be reduced by 15% by 2030 if energy efficiency measures relating to soils and livestock were put in place.

Committee chief executive David Kennedy said: "There is potential in Scotland to make a significant contribution to wider efforts to tackle climate change. Emissions cuts of between 3%-4% annually through to 2050 are feasible, but will require new policies. The cost of achieving emissions cuts is more than offset by the climate change and wider economic benefits."