The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 received Royal Assent on 4 August 2009, and establishes a statutory framework through which Scotland will aim to reduce its future greenhouse gas emissions.
The Act sets an 80% emissions reduction target for 2050, and an interim target reduction of 42% for 2020. In order to attain these figures, the Scottish Ministers are required to set annual targets for emissions reductions from 2010 to 2050. They must also establish a Scottish Committee on Climate Change, or designate an existing public body to advise on issues such as annual emissions targets and to report on progress made towards them. Reports on this progress must also be made to the Scottish Parliament, and the Scottish Ministers have the power to vary the 2020 interim target, if necessary.
Although a number of greenhouse gases fall under the scope of the Act, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons, perflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride, provision is made for adding other gases and modifying the description of a gas, when its contribution to climate change has been recognised at European or international level.
The Act also requires the Scottish Ministers to adopt programmes for the adaptation to climate change, land use strategies, plans to promote and improve energy efficiency and plans to promote renewable heat. Details are also established for the promotion of waste reduction measures and recycling, through the introduction of waste prevention and waste management plans. A duty is also placed on Scottish Water to promote water conservation and efficiency.
