The Bill changes the system of targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bill is at Stage 1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out interim and annual targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Bill will replace those targets with a system of targets based on carbon budgets.
Scottish Ministers will need to set carbon budgets so that every year between 2026 and the net-zero emissions target year (2045) is covered by a budget. Each carbon budget will cover a period of 5 years and will set out the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed during that period.
Not exceeding a carbon budget is referred to in the Bill as a “carbon budget target”. Scottish Ministers will be under a duty to ensure each carbon budget target is met.
The Bill also changes the deadline for the first Climate Change Plan. This Plan must be laid before the Parliament as soon as possible after the first carbon budgets have been set.
You can read more about what this Bill does in the Explanatory Notes (195KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
The Bill has been introduced following the advice given to the Scottish Government by the Climate Change Committee.
You can read more about why this Bill has been created in the Policy Memorandum (158KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024