Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions fell by 3.6% in 2013, but target is missed.

The Scottish Government has announced that

Scottish greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to have been 53.0 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2013………..3.6 per cent lower in 2013 than the 2012 figure of 54.9 MtCO2e.

For full details click here.

This means that the targets for emmission reductionhave been missed for a further year.

Responding to this news Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) said:

“Today’s figures are disappointing but show that the target was within reach. To ensure Scotland meets all of its targets going forward the Scottish Government needs to announce significant new policies. Greater action on climate change will let us build a healthier, fairer society and a stronger economy.

“We’ll be watching carefully this afternoon to judge the ambition of Ministers’ future plans. In particular the transport sector has had a free ride so far and the Scottish Government must get serious about tackling emissions from cars and planes. We already have good policies for insulating people’s homes but they must go much further if we’re to tackle fuel poverty, create jobs and build a better Scotland.”

You can read further reaction in this BBC News story.