This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38666232

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scottish government to unveil climate change plans Scottish government targets 66% emissions cut by 2032
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government is due to set out plans to meet ambitious new targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The Scottish government has outlined a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032.
Ministers committed last year to cut harmful CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, with a new interim target of 50% by 2020. Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham set out the government's draft climate change plan for the next 15 years at Holyrood.
The previous interim target of 42% was met in 2014 - six years early. She also targeted a fully-decarbonised electricity sector and 80% of domestic heat coming from low-carbon sources.
But the Committee on Climate Change said the decrease was largely down to a warmer than average winter reducing the demand for heating. Opposition members welcomed the plans, but raised questions about budgets and specific issues like fracking.
The independent committee monitors the government's progress on climate change targets. However, the Scottish Greens said the plan showed ministers were "not listening to expert advice".
Reduction targets are measured against a baseline set of figures from 1990.Reduction targets are measured against a baseline set of figures from 1990.
Figures published last year - covering emissions from 2014 - showed a reduction of 45.8%. Ministers committed last year to cut harmful CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, with a new interim target of 50% by 2020.
Watch the Climate Change Plan statement from 2.30pm on Holyrood Live. The previous interim target of 42% was met in 2014 - six years early. However, the independent Committee on Climate Change said the decrease was largely down to a warmer than average winter reducing the demand for heating.
The sectors responsible for the most emissions are energy, transport and agriculture. Ms Cunningham said the new targets demonstrated "a new level of ambition" to build a low-carbon economy and a healthier Scotland.
Significant progress has been made in decarbonising the energy sector with the closure of Scotland's last coal-fired power station at Longannet. Goals to be achieved by 2032 include:
But the climate change committee said "stronger policies" would be needed in the new Climate Change Plan and that "little progress" has been made in reducing emissions from transport and agriculture. Ms Cunningham said: "Our proposals for further deep cuts in emissions represent a new level of ambition which will help maintain Scotland's reputation as a climate leader within the international community.
"The transition to a low-carbon economy offers important opportunities for Scotland - thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, the strength of our research institutions and, of course, our natural resources.
"The Scottish government's ambitions are clear, but we have now reached a point in our journey where future progress will require the support of individuals, organisations and businesses across the country.
"The publication of our draft Climate Change Plan provides an important opportunity for debate at Holyrood about the policies which should be implemented and the proposals which should be considered.
"That debate will help ensure the final version of the Climate Change Plan provides us with a blueprint for a fairer, greener, more prosperous nation."
Analysis by BBC Scotland Environment Correspondent Kevin Keane
Environmental groups say Scotland's draft climate change plan is too much of a 'technofix', with not enough focus on changing behaviour.
The 172 page document sets a road map for decarbonising Scotland.
The aim - although not new - is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds by 2032.
Among the policies are making half of Scotland's buses low carbon, fully decarbonising the electricity sector and making eighty percent of homes heated by low carbon technologies.
Friends of the Earth Scotland says there's not enough to encourage behavioural change.
The Scottish government says it demonstrates a "new level of ambition" for Scotland.
Scottish Conservatives MSP Maurice Golden said the 66% target was "truly transformational".
He described climate change as one of the greatest challenges of our age, and said his party was committed to sustainable transport, but asked what the expected overall cost of the plan was.
Ms Cunningham said the cost comes in at about 2% of GDP, noting that this does not take into account the huge benefits that will pay back from the scheme.
Fracking ban
Labour's Claudia Beamish, who has put forward a members' bill calling for a fracking ban, said it was a "major let-down" that it was not mentioned in the statement.
While she broadly welcomed the draft plan, she said: "If the government was serious about tackling climate change it would back my Bill to ban fracking in Scotland."
However, Ms Cunningham replied that "fracking isn't mentioned because we're not doing it", referring to the ongoing moratorium.
She added that the government was taking a "cautious and evidence-led approach", with public consultations due to begin soon, but said fracking was not factored into plans for the "immediate future".
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell said ministers were not listening to expert advice from the Committee on Climate Change, noting that action on only half of a set of recommendations from the group appeared in the plan.
He said: "Scotland's economy and public health are at risk from inaction on climate change. While the environment secretary talks of ambition, we simply don't see the follow-through from her cabinet colleagues.
"On energy, it's a worry that in the plan published today, ministers are still pinning hopes on unproven carbon capture technology. This isn't a responsible approach. On housing, there is very limited investment in ensuring warm homes. Under this plan, fuel poverty will remain a huge problem for decades to come.
"On transport, the draft budget shows a massive rise in spending in motorways to almost £1bn, while funding for walking and cycling remains static at £39m. We also need to see 20mph become the norm in residential areas, so that walking and cycling can start to replace car use. And if ministers are serious about cutting transport emissions, they cannot justify cutting Air Passenger Duty.
"Finally, on agriculture, if we want a long-term future for farming and food production, we need to tackle the overuse of fertilisers and reduce the sector's emissions. Greens will press the Rural Economy Secretary to make this a priority."
'Real financial muscle'
The Scottish Lib Dems also criticised the proposed cut to air passenger duty while calling for a "step change" in heating and energy efficiency.
MSP Liam McArthur said: "Having only met our climate change targets once in five years we need a plan and a vision, backed by real financial muscle, that ensures we walk the talk on emissions reduction.
"In particular, we need top up our game in the areas of heat and transport, where progress to date has been slow or non-existent."
BBC Scotland has highlighted some policies which ministers have been urged to consider, including heat-pump district heating and a workplace parking levy.BBC Scotland has highlighted some policies which ministers have been urged to consider, including heat-pump district heating and a workplace parking levy.
Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), said: "The publication of the Climate Change Plan will make clear how serious the Scottish government really is about tackling the effects of climate change and creating a fairer, healthier country for us all. Four Holyrood committees have launched a joint call for views on the draft plan ahead of planned evidence sessions.
"In order for Scotland to truly be a world leader, bold, ambitious policies are needed in areas such as housing, transport and renewable energy.
"SCCS are calling for a plan that delivers credible policies to ensure that commitments made, including those undertaken as part of the Paris climate change agreement, are met."
The Scottish government said it would set out a number of policies and proposals to reduce emissions on Thursday.
A spokeswoman added: "Scotland is recognised as a world leader for its ambitious action on climate change.
"We exceeded our 2020 emissions reductions target of delivering 42% emissions reductions six years early and are committed to building on this progress."