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REVIEW OF THE SCOTTISH CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME: A CONSULTATION
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
121. As stated in the introduction to this chapter, the Executive has a Partnership Agreement to "work with the UK Government, where appropriate, to meet [its] commitments to tackle climate change and promote renewable energy and other aspects of sustainability." The Executive is committed to continuing to work in partnership with the UK Government to ensure Scotland makes its contribution to UK climate change commitments. To date the Executive has not considered a Scottish emissions reduction target necessary as the Kyoto target is on the UK as a whole, with reductions being met through a partnership approach. Our approach to date has been based on a commitment to make an equitable contribution to UK climate change commitments, which means we are taking action in the same or similar areas as the UK Government, where we have the devolved powers to do so. However, the review of the Scottish Programme provides an opportunity to reassess our position and to seek views on whether stakeholders believe a Scottish emission reduction target is now a practicable proposition.
122. In addition to contributing the UK Kyoto target, the Executive is working in partnership with the UK Government in moving toward the more ambitious 20% CO 2 reduction goal and supports the UK Government pledge to put the UK on a path to a 60% CO 2 reduction by 2050. We would welcome views on how the Executive can most effectively assist the UK in meeting these longer-term goals (see consultation question 56).
123.The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill (SEA Bill)72 has been published in a draft form for consultation and is part of the 2004/5 legislative programme. The SEA Bill places environmental protection at the heart of the strategic decision making process supporting the drive for genuinely sustainable development in Scotland. The Bill promotes public involvement in the decision making process and embeds the use of environmental assessment into good practice across the public sector in Scotland.
124. Environmental assessment is defined as the preparation of an environmental report, the carrying out of consultations, the taking into account of the environmental report and the results of the consultations in decision making, and the provision of information on the decision. Climatic factors must be included in every environmental report. In reaching a final decision to adopt a particular plan, programme or strategy the environmental report must be taken into account, ensuring the environment, including significant effects on climatic factors, are fully considered before reaching a decision. Understanding the likely environmental effects of public plans, programmes and strategies at a strategic level is key to ensuring that when these are adopted they seek to avoid or reduce negative impacts on Scotland's environment.
125. The Public Attitudes to the Environment in Scotland Survey 2002 was commissioned by the Scottish Executive, in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission, to investigate respondents' views on environmental issues, including their own responsibilities for protecting the environment. In the survey climate change came 10 th in the ranking of environmental issues the public are "very worried" about, indicating that much work remains to be done to bring home the seriousness of climate change. Summary findings are available on the Executive's website 73 and a full report of the findings is due to be published before the end of 2004.
126. To encourage public participation in efforts to tackle climate change, the Do a Little: Change a Lot74 advertising campaign was launched in spring 2001 with the aim of informing people about how small, everyday actions can make a real difference in protecting the environment. The first phase of this campaign focused on behaviour that may impact upon climate change. Since then its scope has widened to include waste issues. At several stages throughout the campaign the Scottish Executive has commissioned research to look at levels of public awareness of the advertising itself and also, importantly, to investigate any changes in people's attitudes to the environment and in the ways they behave in their everyday lives. The latest phases of research, conducted in April 2004, reported that, of the environmental problems about which they were asked, respondents judged climate change to be the most serious. The 2004 study also indicated that since the last research in September 2002 the percentage of respondents choosing more energy efficient home appliances had risen from 54% to 62%.
Box 20:Consultation questions on the Executive partnership approach
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH - CONSULTATION QUESTIONS (Please use the Response Template at Annex D to respond to these questions) Q.55 What should the Executive do to further its partnership approach to encourage a coordinated response to climate change across the organisation? Q.56 What long-term policies should the Executive put in place to assist the UK in meeting its longer-term CO 2 reduction goals? Q.57 Do you consider the DALCAL ads on climate change to have been a success? Q.58 Is there a case for using our limited resources in another area, such as waste, or do you think we should continue with the climate change theme? Q.59 Given the limited resources for advertising, how might our campaign to raise awareness of climate change be taken forward and make more impact on people's behaviour? |
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