The Scottish Government has made clear its determination that Scotland will play its part in rising to the challenge that climate change presents. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a world-leading level of ambition.
Scottish Government Policy
· The main objective of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act is to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
· The Act also sets an important interim target of at least 42% emissions cuts by 2020.
· The long-term targets are complimented by a framework of annual targets set in secondary legislation. Annual targets will be set in batches at least 12 years in advance.
· Section 44 of the Act places climate change duties on all public bodies listed in schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Those bodies must act: (a) in the way best calculated to contribute to delivery of the Act's emissions reduction targets, (b) in the way best calculated to help deliver statutory adaptation programmes, and (c) in a way that they consider most sustainable.
· The Act contains a power enabling the Scottish Ministers to require public bodies to report on their compliance with these duties, including the role played by procurement policies and activity.
· The sections of the Act relating to the duties on public bodies, must be brought in to force by April 2011 and the Scottish Government will consult on draft statutory guidance on the duties.
· The Scottish Ministers are required by section 75 of the Act to ensure, in so far as is reasonably practicable, that any building procured for the Scottish civil estate falls within the top quartile of energy performance.
· One of the provisions of the Act empowers the Scottish Government to make regulations requiring the procurement of recyclate. Public bodies have previously been taking action on a voluntary basis in respect of paper and building products.
· The Climate Change (Scotland) Act includes a mandatory provision to introduce an energy efficiency action plan for Scotland. The provision requires Scottish Ministers to report on the implementation of the action plan annually, laying this in Parliament, and to review it at least every three years. The action plan will cover all sectors of the economy, including the public sector. An equivalent action plan must also be prepared regarding the promotion of renewable heat. This action plan must be reviewed every two years.
· In addition to the provisions of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act, the Government Economic Strategy also commits to reducing emissions from 2005 levels in the period to 2011.
· The Scottish Government is committed to achieving a Zero Waste Scotland. This means sustainable design, avoiding the unnecessary use of raw materials, waste prevention, high levels of recycling and composting and reducing the use of landfill to a minimum. Public sector programmes should specify clear metrics and performance levels in their funding criteria and procurement requirements, and commit to continual improvement towards zero waste.
Factors to be considered in creating Sustainable Specifications/Targets
.The climate change duties that will be placed on most Scottish public bodies by section 44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Further Information
· Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2009/pdf/asp_20090012_en.pdf
· The Scottish Government's Climate Change Delivery Plan - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/18103720/0
· Government Economic Strategy - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/202993/0054092.pdf
· Towards a Low Carbon Economy for Scotland: Discussion Paper - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/22110408/0
· Scotland's Climate Change Programme: Annual Report 2008-09 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/17154101/0
· Development of Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation Framework - www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangeadaptation:
· Annual Report of Environmental Performance of the Scottish Government 2008-09 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/05/14145517/0
· UK Climate Change Act 2008 - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2008/pdf/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf
Contact Details
Gavin Barrie
Climate Change Policy Team
Scottish Government
Tel: 0131 244 0204
Gavin.Barrie@scotland.gsi.gov.uk