Scottish Net Zero Target Questioned by Climate Change Committee
Chris Stark expressed his skepticism about the feasibility of achieving a 20 percent reduction in car travel, stating that the requirements to accomplish such a goal are substantial.
A climate change expert, Chris Stark, raised doubts about Scotland’s ability to reduce car travel by 20 percent by 2030, calling the target into question.
Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Chris Stark, addressed the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy, and Transport Committee and expressed uncertainty about the success of any plan aimed at achieving the 20 percent reduction. He emphasized that meeting the requirements to achieve this goal would be challenging.
In reference to London’s congestion charge as a successful strategy to reduce car travel, Stark highlighted the need for consistent success, year after year, to achieve the ambitious reduction target by 2030.
Stark also emphasized the lack of extensive planning similar to London’s congestion charge in cities across Scotland, casting further doubt on the feasibility of the proposed reduction in car travel.
Stark recommended a focus on transitioning vehicles from high carbon to low carbon, particularly switching to electric vehicles, as a more effective approach to reducing emissions from transport, emphasizing the need for a shift in priorities to meet sustainability goals.
The Scottish Conservatives’ net zero spokesman, Douglas Lumsden, criticized the SNP-Green government for failing to meet climate change targets and highlighted the repeated warnings from the Climate Change Committee.
The Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan includes a pledge to reduce car travel by 20 percent by 2030, requiring behavioral changes such as using online options, public transport, and car-sharing.
The plan also involves interventions like a workplace parking levy to discourage private car use and incentivize sustainable travel behaviors, aligning with the government’s efforts to promote electric vehicles and expand charging infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government confirmed that a detailed plan to achieve the 20 percent reduction in car usage will be published later this year, emphasizing initiatives to encourage the transition to electric vehicles and enhance public transport options.
Last month, Scotland’s net zero secretary announced the abandonment of the 2030 carbon emissions reduction target, acknowledging the need for revised legislation to address long-term climate policy challenges.
PA Media contributed to this report.
