The Scottish Government

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Global climate change: Scotland's contribution

What is climate change and what causes it?

Our planet is surrounded by a blanket of gases which keep the surface of the earth warm enough to sustain life. But this blanket is getting thicker, trapping in too much heat, resulting in what's known as the Greenhouse Effect. This is happening because we are releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas for energy in our homes and for our transport. And because large areas of rainforest - which absorb carbon dioxide - are being destroyed for agricultural land. As a result, our climate is changing.

Will climate change affect Scotland?

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our planet. While it's the world's poor, in the developing world, who will be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Scotland is already feeling the effects.

Winter storms have doubled in frequency in the UK over the last 50 years, and many experts believe that by the end of this century Scotland will have warmer, wetter winters, less snowfall and an increased risk of flooding. We can expect more extreme weather, sea level rises of up to 600 mm threatening coastal areas and up to 90% less snowfall. Skiing in Scotland could become a thing of the past.

Some changes to the climate are inevitable - even if we stopped releasing greenhouse gases today, those already in the atmosphere will have an effect as there's a delay between when they're emitted and when we feel the impact. However, we must do everything we can to avoid further changes and to adapt to the new situation in which we find ourselves.

Tackling climate change in Scotland

What role can Scotland play in dealing with climate change?

Scotland may be a small country, contributing less harmful emissions to the world-wide problem than many other developed countries - around 0.2% of global greenhouse gases - but, on balance, each person in Scotland contributes twice the global average.

Rich nations have contributed most to the problem and, as a wealthy country, Scotland has a responsibility to do its bit to help tackle climate change; with individuals, households, businesses, community groups, the voluntary sector and local and central government all required to join the effort. In short, we're all part of the problem, and must all be part of the solution. Together we can make a difference.

And we are making progress:

• greenhouse gas emissions fell by 10% between 1990 and 2003
• carbon dioxide emissions over the same period fell more than any other UK country - by 8%
• the level of carbon removed from the atmosphere by our soil and trees - our carbon sink - increased by 20% between 1990 and 2003
• taking account of the carbon sink, Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2003 were 14% lower than they were in 1990.

Encouraging as these figures are, there's still a long way to go.

Like the UK Government, the Scottish Executive has reviewed its strategy for tackling climate change and aims to cut harmful emissions through its own devolved policies.

Through Scotland's new Climate Change Programme, the Executive is committed to tackling the issue and securing a safer, sustainable future for Scotland by, for example:

• encouraging more efficient use of energy by the public and Scottish businesses, while increasing "greener'' renewable sources of electricity and heat such as wind, wave, tidal, biomass (such as wood) and solar power
• supporting activities which promote new and cleaner vehicle technology and fuel, while urging the public to consider alternatives to driving cars (public transport, cycling, walking)
• delivering significant carbon savings from Scotland's forests by increasing forest cover and through using more wood as fuel instead of fossil fuels
• promoting waste recycling initiatives - for both household and business waste under the National Waste Plan, to reduce waste to landfill sites and limit emissions of methane - a powerful greenhouse gas
• contributing to the development of a UK-wide policy framework on preparing for climate change to ensure Scotland is protected from the worst impacts.

What targets have been set to reduce greenhouse gases?

The UK has an international target (under the Kyoto agreement) to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% by 2008-2012. It also has two more ambitious domestic goals - to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010 and to reduce them by some 60% by around 2050.

To make a fair contribution to these UK commitments up to 2010 we must make sure that Scottish Executive policies save a fair share of total carbon savings from equivalent policies across the rest of the UK. This amount of carbon is called the Scottish Share.

The Executive has set an ambitious target to do even more by exceeding this share by 1 million tonnes of carbon savings - a big overachievement of the Scottish Share.

This is the first time the Executive has identified Scotland's fair share of UK carbon savings and the first time it has set a Scottish climate change target. Together, they show how Scotland will continue to make a lasting difference to the bigger picture.

Choosing a better future for Scotland

How can we live within environmental limits?

The world does not have an unlimited supply of resources and people are already pushing the limits of what's available. That is why we need to reduce the amount of resources we use and look for new ways to meet our energy needs.

The Executive's Sustainable Development Strategy Choosing Our Future sets out how Scotland can make the most of its current and future resources. Tackling climate change is a key part of this. Visit www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk

To achieve a more sustainable future we must learn to live within our environmental limits, making simple changes to our lifestyles. If we don't act now to reduce emissions and prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, we'll need to make even more radical changes in the future and the costs will be higher.

By 2050 the Scottish Executive wants the people of Scotland to live in a low carbon society. It wants people to be proud to be part of a country that has shown longstanding commitment to tackling climate change; proud of a country that can boast increased numbers of green jobs and new environmentally friendly technologies to generate Scotland's energy. And of course, a place where everyone is actively involved in delivering a safer and more sustainable Scotland.

What is the Carbon Footprint?

You may have heard of the Carbon (or Ecological) Footprint. Every individual, every household, every business and, ultimately, every country consumes resources. The carbon footprint measures the amount of resources we use compared with what is available in the world. This tells us what kind of mark we are leaving on the planet. In Scotland, our footprint is too big: we use and pollute more than our fair share.

By measuring our footprint we can learn to manage the resources we use in a more environmentally friendly way, and understand the impact our everyday actions have on our climate. To measure your footprint visit www.scotlandsfootprint.org

Can I make a difference?

As citizens of the best small country in the world we each have a role to play in choosing our future.

There are lots of ways we can tackle climate change, with many bringing other benefits, such as new jobs, improved local environments and economic growth.

Changes in daily lifestyles can make a big difference and ensure Scotland does its bit to tackle climate change.

These include:

• take the Energy Saving Trust's ( EST) Save Your 20% challenge by conserving energy in the home, through switching lights and appliances off when leaving a room and making sure the home is well insulated to stop heat escaping. www.est.org.uk
• turn thermostats down by 1ûC - it could cut heating bills by up to 10% and save around £30 per year
• use energy saving light bulbs: just one can reduce lighting costs by £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs
• reduce the amount of waste created by composting kitchen and garden waste at home. Also use local recycling points or centres to recycle household waste such as paper, drink cans and plastic bottles. For information on local recycling centres visit: www.wascot.org.uk/sortit
• save about 40 litres of water a time by having showers instead of baths. Reduced use of water means less needs to be treated, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions caused by the treatment process
• leave the car at home. Walk, cycle or take public transport. Save petrol, money and the environment.