The Scottish Government has announced plans to bring in a law which would amend its approach to setting targets for carbon emission reduction.

The new law would move away from a system of annual targets and would introduce a system of 5-yearly carbon budgets.

According to the Scottish Government, the new Bill is due to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament “as soon as possible after [Summer] recess”.

What will be changing?

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy has said that the existing target for emission reduction by 2030 is out of reach. However, the Government remains committed to the target of net zero emissions by 2045.

The new legislation is expected to propose a new framework for re-setting interim emission reduction ambitions.

The legislation is also likely to change the date by which the next Climate Change Plan (CCP), the Government’s strategic delivery plan for meeting emissions reduction targets, is due.

Currently, the legal deadline for laying the draft CCP in Parliament is November 2024.

The Committee has agreed to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny in view of the Scottish Government’s stated intention to “expedite” the Bill through the Parliament.