In a significant shift in climate policy, the Scottish government has announced its decision to abandon annual and interim targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, a new system will be implemented to measure emissions every five years. 

Energy secretary Mairi McAllan addressed the Scottish Parliament, confirming the government’s intention to replace the existing framework with legislation akin to the carbon budgets utilised by the UK and Welsh governments. 

Despite this change, McAllan reiterated the government’s commitment to the ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, affirming that this target remains unwavering. “We must now act to chart a course to 2045 at a pace and on a scale that are feasible, fair and just,” she said. 

The announcement was accompanied by a series of measures aimed at reducing planet-warming gases, including the introduction of a national integrated ticketing system for public transport.

Additionally, the Scottish government outlined plans to assist individuals and businesses in transitioning away from car reliance, with a specific focus on small businesses and independent traders. Efforts to bolster electric vehicle infrastructure were also highlighted, with a commitment to significantly increase the number of charging points across Scotland by 2030.

“Scotland will see approximately 24,000 additional charge points by 2030. That will help to ease any remaining range anxiety that people might feel and ensure that going electric is an option in every part of our nation,” she continued. 

Despite this, McAllan pointed out she was still disappointed in the news, but that it represented a “minor” adjustment to the government’s overall plans.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie on the other hand, said he was “angry and disappointed that we are in this position.”

“We cannot undo decades of inaction and bad decision-making,” he said.

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“But what we can do is ensure that Scotland goes further and faster in delivering the rapid and fundamental change that is so vital. Ever since the first Climate Change Act, I’ve said that world-leading targets are not enough, especially if there aren’t credible and robust plans in place to deliver them.”

“We have a responsibility not just to advocate for accelerated action, but to make it happen.”

While the government framed the shift as a minor adjustment, questions remain regarding the specifics of future emissions targets and the overall impact on Scotland’s climate action agenda.