Scotland renewables target is achievable

A report compiled by WWF Scotland, Friends of the Earth Scotland and RSPB Scotland has shown that an aim to produce half of Scotland's energy from renewable sources by 2030 is possible. The report also suggests ways in which this objective can be achieved.

Being able to meet this objective will not only help Scotland achieve its climate change goals, it could provide economic and social benefits at the same time.

The report looks at different sectors, namely transport, heat and electricity, and concludes that the 2030 target is achievable, even though currently only 13% of Scotland's energy comes from renewable sources. It also states that it is a "cost-effective route to meeting climate targets".

However, the report also warns that increasing the use of renewable energy sources will not happen without some change: "Current policies will not be enough to meet Scotland's future climate change targets. Bold action is needed in new areas to extend the economic and social benefits of a low-carbon transition to all parts of Scotland's economy."

As a result, it recommends that the government undertakes some active policy intervention and sets targets for the heat, transport and electricity sectors. It also recommends that:

• Scotland's new energy efficiency programme must set out a target that is consistent with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and provided with funding;
• new buildings must be zero-carbon;
• regulation is needed to support the growth of heat networks;
• building regulations should require that all newly constructed homes and offices are heated with renewables;
• a new energy efficiency programme is needed to prepare homes and buildings for renewable heat systems;
• Scotland's low-carbon transport sector needs to improve to meet future climate targets;
• Scotland should try and establish a plan to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles and continue to develop an electric charging network;
• public transport systems move to low-emission vehicles.