The Scottish Government

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02 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing Scotland and the world. The most severe consequences include famine, drought and the extinction of species. Further action by all nations is needed urgently in order to avoid the most severe climate change. On 12 December 2007, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that 'the time for equivocation is over. The science is clear. Climate change is happening. The impact is real. The time to act is now.' ²

2.2 Climate change will have a profound affect on the everyday lives of the people of Scotland - both young and old in every village, town and city, on mainland and island. This is not the first time that climate change has affected the people of Scotland - indeed, the climate has always changed over the centuries, affecting our food supply, our travel and our homes. But the scale of climate change occurring at present is unprecedented - some parts of Scotland have seen winter average temperatures increase by up to 2°C - and, for the first time, this is being caused mainly by human activities. Action in Scotland is required now by Government, businesses and individuals.

2.3 The debate has clearly shifted over the last few years, from whether climate change is happening to what is causing it and what we need to do about it. Across Scottish society there is a growing awareness that people need to 'do their bit' and many are putting these good intentions into practice by making changes to their lifestyles to help reduce their energy consumption. There are worthwhile programmes and initiatives across organisations in the public, private and third (voluntary and community) sectors to make their operations 'greener'. The current and previous Scottish administrations have placed issues of sustainability and climate change at the heart of many of their policies. However, as the scientific understanding of climate change has developed, it has become clear that even greater efforts need to be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level below that which will lead to dangerous global warming.

2.4 The aim of the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill will be to establish a framework to drive these greater efforts in Scotland. The Bill will create mandatory climate change targets to reduce Scotland's emissions and will create new legislative means to do so. This will provide business and society with a clear signal from Government of its seriousness in tackling this issue and will provide Scotland with the certainty it needs to make the right choices now. The Bill will signal to the international community Scotland's serious intent to contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change and provide a strong example to other countries showing what can be done.

2.5 Scotland has much to be proud about in its past. Our explorers, entrepreneurs and scientists have made a contribution to the modern world far out of proportion to our size. However, since the Industrial Revolution, our industries and lifestyles have also been contributing to climate change far out of proportion to our size. While we continue to benefit from this past, its legacy is threatening both Scotland and the world. This provides a moral imperative for Scotland to take action.

2.6 While our past actions as a society in Scotland provide a good reason for us to take action as a nation, it is important to focus on what needs to be done now. Through global action it is still possible to prevent the most extreme impacts of climate change. Scotland continues to emit greenhouse gases at a rate disproportionate to our size and our consumption patterns are unsustainable. Whilst every nation needs to take action to mitigate the most severe climate change, Scotland has an opportunity to provide international leadership on this issue and demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling our climate change responsibilities.

2.7 Acting now to mitigate climate change will cost the countries of the world less than waiting to deal with its effects in the future if we do nothing. Tackling climate change can also bring clear and tangible benefits to Scotland itself, bringing new jobs, cost savings and improved local environments that can generate sustainable economic growth. Taking action now will help make Scotland a wealthier and fairer, as well as greener, society. Reducing our emissions is a strategic target in the Government Economic Strategy and features significantly in the Spending Review. ³

2.8 This consultation paper is intended to both inform and spark debate. The proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill is intended to provide a long-term framework for future action in Scotland on climate change. The Bill will not provide the solutions to all of the climate change issues we will face for the next 40 and more years but it will drive policies forward by making the Scottish Government responsible for achieving ambitious targets.

2.9 This consultation sets out the Scottish Government's thinking on the proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill and asks for your views on some of the options for the Bill. The Scottish Government is looking for responses to this consultation from every sector in Scotland - Government does not have all the answers to these questions! It is important for all of Scotland to work together in reaching credible solutions to the difficult problem of climate change. The Government will listen to your views and consider them when making our final decisions.

2.10 The Government will also be continuing to collect evidence alongside this consultation to ensure that the proposed Bill takes account of both what is needed and what is possible. The Bill's primary purpose is to establish a framework of credible measures.

2.11 The consultation will close in mid-April 2008. The next step is for the Government to consider the responses and publish a summary and analysis in the summer. The Government will then decide what is to be included in the Bill, and instruct lawyers to draft the Bill (this process will take a number of months). The Government aims to have the Bill ready for introduction to the Scottish Parliament before the end of 2008.

2.12 Thank you in advance for your responses and please do not hesitate to contact the Scottish Government if you have any questions about this consultation.

Telephone: 0131 244 0732
Fax: 0131 244 0211
scottishclimatechangebill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangebill

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