13/02/2009
Individuals and organisations with an interest in climate change were today urged to respond to draft legislation which could give Scotland the opportunity to lead the way with innovative and effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The call for evidence on the Scottish Government’s Climate Change (Scotland) Bill closes on 27 February 2009 and the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee is urging those with an interest to respond before the deadline.
Committee Convener Patrick Harvie said: “It is crucial that views are lodged on this Bill. Climate change is the biggest challenge of modern times, and without radical action future generations will inherit a world vulnerable to extreme weather events, short of food, and far less capable of supporting life. It is therefore hugely important that individuals and organisations engage in this process and take the opportunity to provide the committee with their views on the Scottish Government proposals.
"The committee will carry out robust scrutiny of the legislation to ensure that it provides the best framework to allow Scotland to make radical cuts in carbon emissions in the most appropriate and accountable way.”
The committee is seeking views on the wide ranging provisions of the Bill, including:
- the introduction of a statutory framework designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050
- the setting of annual targets for emissions reduction for each year from 2010 to 2050 and, from the year 2020, annual targets that are at least 3% lower than the target for the previous year
- the concept of a “net Scottish emissions account” as a point of reference against which the target for reducing greenhouse gases can be measured, and the inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions in this process
- the possible introduction of a Scottish Committee on Climate Change to provide independent, expert advice
- new duties for public bodies in relation to climate change
- an action plan providing details of the energy efficiency of buildings in Scotland and ways of making improvements
- proposed measures designed to improve waste management and recycling
- changes to the role of the Forestry Commission in Scotland to enable it to play a greater part in tackling climate change.
Background Information
The Scottish Government published the draft Climate Change (Scotland) Bill in December 2008.