This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Greenhouse gas emissions down
12/02/2002
The emission of greenhouse gases in Scotland declined between 1990 and 1999 according to figures published today.
Welcoming publication of Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-1999, Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development said:
"The reduction in Scottish emissions of almost 5% since 1990 provides a good start for our Climate Change Programme to build on. It also answers recent criticism that we were hiding data because they contained bad news and it honours our commitment to produce annual emissions data for Scotland.
"But we cannot afford to be complacent. Much deeper emissions reductions will be required if Scotland is to play its full part in global efforts to halt the potentially devastating effects of climate change. Everyone has the ability to make a valuable contribution as highlighted by our Do a little: change a lot environmental awareness campaign.
"Working together to drive down harmful emissions will enable Scotland to make a real contribution to achievement of the UK climate change commitments made at Kyoto."
Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-1999 disaggregates the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory originally compiled by the National Environmental Technology Centre (NETCEN) for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Diaggregation of the UK inventory is supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000, contains measures in devolved areas aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. This programme of measures contributes to the UK Climate Change Programme which was published at the same time. The UK Programme contains measures aimed at delivering the UK Kyoto commitment of a 12.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2008-2012 and moving the UK as a whole toward the domestic goal of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.