The Plan lands at a time of spiralling climate impacts alongside growing global instability and rocketing oil and gas prices, underlining the risks of continued reliance on fossil fuels and the need for faster, deeper investment in effective measures that we know will quickly reduce emissions.
Oxfam Scotland welcomes confirmation of the commitment to introduce a new tax on high-polluting private jets through the Air Departure Tax, while stressing this must come in quickly, apply to all private jet passengers and be set at a high rate. Continued support to climate-impacted communities in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda is also highly positive.
However, Oxfam Scotland is concerned by the continued reliance on so-called 'Negative Emissions Technologies" which remove emissions after they have been created, despite warnings from the Scottish Government’s climate watchdog, the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
When analysing the draft plan, the Committee said that while Scotland has already succeeded in more than halving emissions since 1990, long-term targets remain at risk. It said that while Scotland’s first five-year carbon budget is backed by credible policies, it warned of “significant risks and gaps” beyond 2030 with a “heavy reliance” on technologies, like carbon capture, which it says carries “significant risk”.
While the final Plan includes a commitment to “publish a route-map to deployment” of such technologies in 2026, Oxfam Scotland says it still places too much focus on future technological fixes over ramped up near-term action.
More widely, campaigners say a new set of indicators to "provide early warning on progress" across the actions outlined in the Plan may, over time, improve accountability of the level of progress achieved.
However, beyond the Scottish Election, Oxfam Scotland say the next Scottish Government must urgently strengthen fair action to directly cut the emissions generated from the most polluting sectors, such as from homes and transport, funded by asking the biggest polluters and the better off to contribute their fair share.
Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Global instability and soaring oil and gas prices strongly reinforce why Scotland can’t afford to stay hooked on fossil fuels while continuing to bet on risky future technologies. Every step we take now towards clean energy reduces emissions, creates long-term jobs and cuts our exposure to crises like this: this isn’t just about climate action, it’s about stability, security, and protecting people – particularly those on low-incomes – from a damaging cycle of price shocks.
"This Plan recognises the need for action now, but the speed and certainty of that action must increase. Ahead of the election, all parties must now be clear about how they’ll fairly fund that acceleration, including by making polluters pay, so we can all start to benefit from cleaner air, warmer homes, reliable public transport, and a Scotland fit for the future that thrives for generations to come.”
/ENDS
For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Media and Communications Adviser, Oxfam Scotland: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450
