Traffic jame of cars
Traffic jame of cars

Scotland’s climate commitments are stalling, and time is running out

The Scottish Government is unlikely to meet its climate change target of reducing all car use, according to a damning new report by Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission.

The report blames a lack of leadership and proper plans for Ministers making ‘minimal progress’ towards achieving the goal of reducing car use by 20% by 2030.

Domestic transport is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, accounting for 28% of all emissions.

A final route map for delivering the target was promised last Autumn but has yet to emerge.

It comes after Scottish Ministers last year ditched a key target of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 due to the inadequate speed and scale of climate action.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “With just five years left to deliver this crucial climate commitment, the speed of action cannot remain stuck in first gear. Slashing car emissions means bold action to make public transport the easy, affordable choice and that requires more investment. A Scottish tax on pollution-spewing private jets could raise up to an extra £30m per year to help fund cleaner, fairer transport. Without transformative climate action backed by transformative investment, Scotland’s net zero target is a car crash waiting to happen.”

/ENDS 

For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450