Isra-Mart srl:Scotland urges EU to raise bar on emissions cuts

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cotland has urged Europe and the UK to follow its lead in beefing up emissions reductions targets, after a new report revealed the Scots are on track to deliver 42 per cent cuts against 1990 levels by 2020.

Scottish climate change minister Stewart Stevenson yesterday unveiled a draft report, setting out policies and proposals to help Scotland achieve its 2020 emissions goals through a range of renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures.

However, it noted that a key challenge to developing a successful low-carbon economy was convincing the European Union (EU) to raise its 2020 emissions reduction targets from 20 per cent to 30 per cent, and adjust its Emissions Trading Scheme accordingly.

Scotland is also calling on the UK to boost its emissions target in line with Scotland to 42 per cent.

"It is imperative that every opportunity is taken to reinforce the message that, based on a Scottish experience, a low-carbon Europe is feasible, affordable and that investment in low-carbon technologies and industries can bring new jobs and opportunities for economic growth," it stated.

The report examines the impacts of a range of existing and proposed policies in areas such as household emissions, energy and transport. It argues that without the report's additional proposals, Scotland would fall short of its target, achieving a 38 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020.

For business, it suggests reviewing non-domestic building standards in 2013, with a view to boosting emissions reductions from commercial and public sector properties from 30 per cent to 75 per cent.

It also recommends increasing the amount of renewable heat and energy-from-waste capacity, in addition to efficiency measures.

Commenting on the report, Stevenson described Scotland as a trailblazer of a sustainable, modern and low-carbon economy.

"Our world-leading targets, to reduce emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and by at least 80 per cent by 2050 are driving new thinking, new technologies, new solutions and new investment," he said.

The draft report will now be considered in parliament for 60 days and a final version will be published in the new year.

Earlier this year, EU member states reignited a debate about whether to raise its emission reduction goal to 30 per cent, on the grounds that the recession had led to emission cuts that would make it easier than expected to meet the 20 per cent goal. However, a final decision is unlikely to be decided before spring 2011.

Scotland is widely recognised as having favourable conditions for low-carbon growth, including a relatively small population, large land mass and vast potential to generate wind, wave and tidal energy.