New report: Housing and transport key to reducing Scotland's emissions
2 December 2009
A radical step change is needed if Scotland is to achieve a 42 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
That’s the conclusion of the third annual assessment of progress by the Scottish Government published today by its independent sustainable development advisor, the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland (SDCS), which highlights housing and transport as areas requiring particular attention.
Commenting on the report, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:
"This in depth analysis rightly praises Scotland's new climate law but clearly points out that in crucial sectors like housing and transport we are going to have to try much harder to meet our 2020 target of a 42 per cent reduction in emissions.
"On housing we are going to need a massive retrofit programme to get Scotland's home fit for the 21st century, reducing emissions and getting rid of fuel poverty.
"In transport things are still going in the wrong direction. We need a major rethink on new roads and bridges and action to halt the predicted growth in car use.
"Coming out of recession should be an opportunity to replace the old jobs that have gone with new, green jobs in energy, building and transport. Scotland should be aiming for a One Planet Economy, based on make people healthy and content rather than simply richer, while living within the planet's means."
Notes to Editors
[1] SDCS report http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.php?id=1027
[2] WWF Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos, an alliance of development, environment and civil society groups aiming for tougher action to reduce emissions - http://stopclimatechaosscotland.org
SCCS will be helping organise a Climate Change march in Glasgow on the 5th December, 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Mandy Carter, t: 01350 728200, m: 07771 818677, e: mcarter@wwfscotland.org.uk Phone above numbers to arrange radio interviews on our ISDN line 01350 728276.
