Reaching a net-zero target could be achieved "comfortably" if there is a political and social will for change
Scotland has multiple options to end its greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 according to a new report.
The study says reaching a net-zero target could be achieved "comfortably" if there is a political and social will for change.
A Climate of Possibility, commissioned by WWF Scotland, sets out the many routes Scotland can take to end planet-harming emissions.
The country would need to accelerate its response to climate change while at the same time planning a just transition towards a healthier, cleaner, flourishing country.
Scotland has multiple advantages to help it reach net-zero, the report states, such as an abundant potential for renewable energy and a large land mass for increased forest cover.
Trees act as a carbon sink by soaking up carbon dioxide, meaning some industries would be able to continue emitting gases.
The power and transport sectors can reach zero or near-zero emissions through advances in technology and a transition to electric vehicles, the report concludes.
Emissions in industry can be reduced by at least 60% without damaging productivity while agriculture could achieve a 35% drop while maintaining current production levels.
A new climate change bill is currently being debated at Holyrood which proposes reducing harmful emissions by 90% by 2050 - up from a previous target of 80%.
Gina Hanrahan, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: “We know that climate change is one of the biggest threats facing people and nature. To avoid the most dangerous consequences at home and abroad, we need to urgently cut our emissions and rapidly increase our carbon sinks through tree planting, restoring peatlands and improving the health of our soils.
“In the ten years since the previous climate change bill we’ve already reduced emissions by nearly half and made truly incredible progress in cutting the carbon from our power sector.
“There’s still much to be done to ensure everyone in Scotland is living in a warm, low carbon home, can breathe clean air and that we are producing the best of low carbon food.
“That’s why it’s crucial MSPs, who are debating the new climate change bill, confront the challenge head on and join the growing number of progressive nations by setting an iconic net zero target and speeding up the policy action need to end our climate emissions once and for all."
A Scottish Government spokesman said it would set a target date for net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases as soon as it could be done "credibly and responsibly".
He added: "We are currently awaiting independent expert advice on targets from our statutory advisors, the UK Committee on Climate Change.
"If the committee advises that a date for net-zero emissions can now be credibly set, we will act on that."
