« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Ministerial Foreword
Sustainable Economic growth is the first priority for this Government. Efficient transport is an essential support to the country's economic activity. Transport is responsible for around 25% of Scottish emissions and, of these, more than 70% are from road transport. We recognise that delivering low carbon transport will have its challenges. However, I and my Ministerial colleagues are committed to reducing transport emissions.
The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill sets an ambitious but realistic framework to reduce Scotland's emissions by at least 80% by 2050. The Bill aims to drive new thinking and solutions to building a sustainable low carbon economy. We also recognise the opportunities inherent in transforming to a low carbon society.
We believe that while the market is likely to deliver low carbon vehicles over time, this may be too slow in the absence of some level of intervention. This consultation seeks your views on setting ambitious targets for the development and uptake of low carbon vehicles in Scotland. Our starting point for discussion is one of ambition. However, we recognise that there will be a number of barriers as well as opportunities in implementing ambitious targets, including costs, the ability of technologies to deliver, and consumer behaviour. In addition, there may be classes of vehicles where it simply isn't practical to aspire to significant emission reductions. Consequently, whilst we are adopting an aspirational starting point, we are conscious that there remains a significant amount of work in front of us before the completion of a strategy and supporting targets.
Your input into this work will help us to set objectives and develop a realistic action plan to help speed the process in Scotland, to significantly reduce transport emissions, and to provide job and wealth creating opportunities for our industry and research institutions. We recognise that there are already pockets of excellence in Scotland; this document is sprinkled with short case studies illustrative of our existing capabilities. It will be important to draw on existing expertise, and exploit business opportunities.
The significant uptake of low carbon vehicles will be part of a wider package of measures to mitigate against climate change, including those aimed at increasing walking and cycling, smarter travel choices and making better use of public transport.
The Scottish Government is seeking views from all interested parties and, in particular, invites leaders in the public and private sector as well as academia to engage with this consultation process. In so doing you will contribute to the building of a greener, healthier, low carbon Scotland.
Stewart Stevenson MSP
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change
« Previous | Contents | Next »