Why is this National Indicator important?
Scotland's 'carbon' footprint measures all greenhouse gas emissions (expressed in 'carbon dioxide equivalents') generated at home and abroad in the production and transport of the goods and services that we consume. This footprint gives us a robust overall measure of the global impact of our everyday choices. We want Scotland to be a leading nation in sustainable living, reducing the impact we have on both our local and global environment. Our current consumption patterns are unsustainable, with growing demands on the world's resources and its impact on our environment.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Many factors influence this indicator; to reduce our carbon footprint we must reduce our waste, energy and transport use and consume food and other materials more sustainably. The crucial first step is a change in our behaviour.
What is the Government's role?
Government needs to work to make sustainable choices in our daily lives easier and to raise public awareness of the impacts of our current consumption patterns. We aim to do a lot more - through taking a lead in sustainable procurement, by reducing waste and increasing recycling and composting of that waste that is created, increasing energy from renewable sources, supporting organisations and households to use energy more efficiently and taking a range of actions to tackle climate change.
How are we performing?
There has been an overall reduction in Scotland's carbon footprint since 2006 when 97.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) were produced. The latest figure of 82.1 Mt CO2 eq during 2009 is a reduction of 13% compared with 94.2 Mt CO2 eq in 2008.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Scottish Government
Criteria for recent change
This evaluation is based on: any difference within 3 percent of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease of 3 percent or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 3 percent or more suggests the position is worsening. This methodology might need to be reviewed in the future as more data point become available.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
A wide range of public sector bodies are key to delivering a reduced footprint across public services particularly around reducing waste, offering more sustainable energy and transport, improving energy efficiency and making more sustainable choices easier.
Related Strategic Objectives
Safer and Stronger
Greener