Greenhouse gases - Scotland
Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth's atmosphere today are about 30% higher than they were 200 years ago. Every time we switch on a light, charge a mobile phone or drive a car we contribute to Scotland’s carbon emissions.
In 1990 Scotland emitted 64.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (expressed as millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents MtCO2e). By 2005 (latest available data) that level had fallen by around 16% to 54.5 million tonnes.
The main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland is the energy supply sector. Three power stations - Longannet in Kincardine, Cockenzie in East Lothian, and Scottish and Southern in Peterhead - are the three leading emitters of CO2 in Scotland.
In 2005, the energy supply sector contributed 26% of Scottish greenhouse gas emissions. This sector supplies power to end users including homes, schools, and the business and transport sectors. Since 1990, emissions from the energy supply sector have fallen by 10%.
The transport sector was the second biggest contributor with 18% of Scottish greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. In line with rising trends across other European countries, Scottish transport emissions have increased since 1990 by 11%.
Agriculture, business and the residential sectors all contributed between 11% and 14% of emissions each.
For more information on greenhouse gas emissions, take a look at the UK Air Quality Archive. A report entitled 'Greenhouse Gas Inventories for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland' is available in the reports database section.
Scotland’s Climate Bill
On 21 June 2007 the Scottish Government announced it would begin talks on a Climate Change Bill for Scotland, with an ambition of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050.
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said climate change would be at the heart of economic decision making in Scotland and he echoed the statement from the First Minister, who set out plans to make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe.
Consultation on the proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill were officially launched on 29 January 2008 by John Swinney. In addition to the 80% emissions reduction target, the proposals include annual reporting of progress and the creation a framework of carbon budgets - setting a pathway of actions that can deliver the emissions target.
The latest data shows that emissions in Scotland fell by 16% between 1990 and 2005; at the same time our economy grew by 36%. Tackling climate change can bring clear benefits to Scotland: new jobs, cost savings, improved local environments and economic growth.
Photo credit: (above) Gary Henderson
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