by Anne MacLennan
The IPCC warns that global emissions will have to reduce over 40% by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels) and at least 60% by 2035 for a good chance of keeping within the 1.5°C limit. But fossil fuel emissions hit a record high last year.
In the UK, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has brought forward its previous 80% target by nearly 15 years i.e. emissions now need to be cut almost 80% between 1990 and 2035.
It is unfortunate, therefore, that the UK Government’s freezing of fuel duty has boosted emissions 7% by making it cheaper to drive and reducing incentives for fuel efficiency. With great faith and investment in carbon capture, the idea seems to be that we can suck it all out of the atmosphere, so it’s not a problem. Perhaps that’s why Jeremy Hunt didn’t think to mention climate change in his Spring budget.
The CCC reported in March, that Scotland’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 75% (compared with 1990) by 2030 was more or less unattainable due to the lack of strategy and actions to get there. Retaining the targets could therefore appear deceitful, which apparently led to the 2030 targets being scrapped.
SNP and Green MSPs then jointly announced a renewed commitment to reach the 2045 target of net zero. “The CCC challenges us to go further. And that is exactly what we will do” with new “climate measures” to “ensure that Scotland gets back on track”. And as stated on 18th April, “Only by working together across the political divide and with all levels of government, the public sector and the business community can we tackle the climate crisis with the pace and urgency required.”
Subsequent squabbles and disruption are therefore particularly disappointing. The CCC report should have been a clarion call to action. Publicising the fact that the 2030 targets can’t be achieved with current effort should spur us on to even greater efforts, but there is a risk of going further off-track as attention and resources are redirected at the top.
Government commitment is vital, but it’s not the Government’s problem alone. The whole of society must change behaviour patterns and expectations. Some of us are better placed than others to make those changes and should do so first. In this time of upheaval, it is particularly important that there is action at ground level to show what can be achieved and what the electorate expects of their reassembled Government, encouraging its bold action.
Let’s ramp up our efforts.