The Scottish Government is preparing to unveil its strategy for addressing the climate crisis following a report indicating that Scotland may not meet its target of reducing emissions by 75%

by 2030.

Reports suggest that the Scottish Government is considering abandoning the 2030 goal while maintaining its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045. This potential shift represents a significant development for the government, particularly as Green politicians are now part of the administration through a powersharing agreement with the SNP.

According to a report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published in March, achieving a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 would require a nine-fold increase in the rate of emission reduction across most sectors. The CCC stated that such acceleration in emissions reduction is now deemed unrealistic.

The Scottish Government has previously failed to meet its legally binding annual emissions reduction targets in eight out of the last 12 years.

Mairi McAllan, Scotland's Net-Zero Secretary, is scheduled to provide an update to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday afternoon in response to the CCC report.

Ahead of her statement, McAllan emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, describing it as the defining global issue of our time. She stressed the need for ambitious and fair action that empowers communities and considers the diverse needs of different regions in Scotland.

McAllan reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling the climate crisis with urgency and called for collective support across political parties in the Scottish Parliament.

Despite potential adjustments to the 2030 target, McAllan reiterated the government's determination to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

Climate campaigners have expressed concern over the possibility of abandoning the 2030 target, labeling it as a global embarrassment for the Scottish Government. However, Scottish Conservatives have criticized the government's track record on climate action, describing any change in targets as an "abject humiliation." Photo by Benjamin Brock, Wikimedia commons.