Scotland's Climate Change Survey

Scotlands environment and economy are intrinsically linked, and Scotland’s transition to a more prosperous, net zero emissions economy is already well underway.

In direct response to the UN Paris Agreement, Scotland’s landmark Climate Change Act is one of the most ambitious legislative frameworks for emissions reduction in the world. We have created jobs and backed innovative new industries while winning international respect for our ambition and leadership on climate change.

The Paris Agreement will support a worldwide market for low carbon goods and services, as other countries have committed to reducing their carbon footprint. It will also enhance the long term international competitiveness of low carbon business in Scotland by ensuring that more eco-friendly business practices are adopted elsewhere.

Most of the low carbon economic activity in Scotland so far has been associated with the provision of renewables and low carbon electricity, but there is significant economic turnover for some other sectors, including provision of energy efficiency products and low carbon services.

Low carbon investments may provide an opportunity for more balanced regional development within Scotland. Beyond the opportunities presented by renewable technology, smaller businesses across Scotland will also benefit from engaging in climate change mitigation through energy efficiency and low carbon heat and by promoting sustainable practices.

By setting a 2045 target for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases, we continue to provide the necessary certainty and impetus to markets, businesses and industries to shift towards low-carbon technologies and practices.

To meet Scotland’s targets, a rapid transformation across all sectors of our economy and society is required. We published our Climate Change Plan update in December 2020 which reflects the increased ambition of the new targets set by the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019.

Our Net Zero Nation website is a ‘one stop shop’ for individuals, communities and organisations looking for information about what they can do to tackle the climate emergency, and learn more about the action that all of Scotland is taking.

Actions

We are:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissionsthrough a Just Transition to a net zero economy and society, ensuring the journey is fair and creates a better future for everyone – regardless of where they live, what they do, and who they are
• driving Scotland’s adaptation to climate change
• supporting decarbonisation in the public sector
• engaging with business and industry on decarbonisation
• engaging the public and encouraging people to move towards low carbon living
• supporting communities to tackle climate change
• leading international action on climate change
• supporting developing countries to tackle climate change through the Climate Justice Fund
• jointly administering the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) alongside the UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive. Read more information
• keeping track of how efficiently nitrogen is being used through  a national-scale Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet
• delivering a just transition, by working with communities, business, industry and the people of Scotland to plan for our net zero future

Source: https://www.gov.scot/policies/climate-change/