The Scottish Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development
News
Scottish Climate Change Act
25 June 2009
The Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of a world leading Climate Change Act with a 42% target for reducing emissions.
The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland has congratulated the Scottish Parliament on passing a strengthened Climate Change Act. The Act is world leading in terms of targets for emission reduction, and has been developed in partnership with a range of organisations and businesses.
Delivering the targets will require Government to keep an open dialogue with civil society and forge new alliances.
Professor Jan Bebbington, Vice Chair Sustainable Development Commission, Scotland said: “The Scottish Climate Change Act can be a big win for the planet if the Scottish Government manages to involve the whole of Scotland in delivering the targets.” “
SDC Scotland has been critical to the Act's reliance on technological breakthroughs as the way out of climate change. Technology is an important part of solving this problem, but there is also a great need for behaviour changes from the business, local communities and from ordinary citizens.
Professor Bebbington said:
"We need a root and branch review of everyday life in Scotland in order to become a truly sustainable society. The key to delivering the targets is for government to think climate change in all its work."
SDC Scotland has pointed to the several policy areas as needing a clearer focus. One such initiative is the proposed Scottish Planning Policy which needs to give much clearer guidance on the role of local planning authorities in tackling climate change.
As the Government’s independent advisor on sustainable development, SDC Scotland is committed to working with Government to turn the Act’s aspirations into action. The Parliament’s work on the Bill has very much showed a willingness to listen and bring business and NGO’s on board to create solutions. Delivering the targets is dependent on continuing this conversation and making sure everyone feels involved and understands their part in addressing this challenge.
