The Scottish Government has abandoned its flagship target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 after admitting it was “out of reach”.

However, a “firm commitment” to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 will remain.

The move was announced in a Holyrood update on Thursday by Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Minister Mairi McAllan, who set out the government’s next steps to tackle the issue climate change.

The decision follows a scathing report last month from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) which said the 2030 target is now “Beyond the range of confidence”.

Ms McCarron said: “Against this challenging backdrop of cuts and the UK going backwards, we accept that the CCC’s recently re-articulated parliamentary interim target for 2030 is unachievable.

“We must act now to chart a course to 2045 at a speed and scale that is feasible, fair and just.”

Scotland has failed to meet eight of the past 12 annual targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

CCC stated that in order to Scotland To meet the target of reducing harmful emissions by 75% by 2030, emission reduction rates in most sectors will need to increase ninefold by the end of this decade.

The Scottish Government is the first in the world to declare a climate emergency.

Ms McCarron proposed a new set of climate action measures.

The Scottish Government intends to:
• The number of electric vehicle charging points in Scotland will triple to around 24,000 by 2030.
• Explore a new national integrated ticketing system for public transport that would enable passengers to use one system for all aspects of their journey.
• Working with businesses to support the transition to petrol and diesel trucks.
• Advance a pilot program with a number of farms to determine the appropriate future adoption of methane-suppressing feed products or additives. Farms receiving public support until 2028 at the latest will also need to carry out corresponding carbon audits.
• Accelerate regional land use partnerships, with up to three new areas joining the program next year.
• Accelerate peatland restoration by investigating how partial rewetting can coexist with continued agricultural activity and accessing support, including investment of up to £1 million in pilot projects.
• Consultation this summer on a carbon land tax on the largest estates, considering regulatory and financial changes that could further incentivize peatland restoration, reforestation and renewable energy production.
• Consider the recommendations of the Green Heat Financing Working Group to review and publish by the end of 2024 an analysis of how non-domestic rates relief can better support Holyrood’s climate targets and encourage investment in energy efficiency and clean heating systems.
• Release the final energy strategy and transition plan this summer, followed by draft plans for transport, agriculture and land use, and buildings and construction. Following the publication of the Just Transition Plan for Grangemouth, the Government will work together to develop a Just Transition Plan for Moss Moran.
• Redouble our efforts to ensure that net zero emissions are fully considered across the workforce, spending, policy development and structures, starting with the full rollout of the Net Zero Emissions Review across the Scottish Government from the end of 2024.
• Work with COSLA to understand wider public sector spending and opportunities for action.
• Proposes the establishment of a four-nation climate response group whose remit includes climate finance and the balance of retained and devolved powers.

Ms McCarron said the “strict budget constraints imposed by the UK Government” and “continued constraints on devolution” meant the Scottish Government was trying to “deliver social and economic transformation with one hand tied behind its back”.

She warned that the “full implementation” of the Holyrood plan would depend on Westminster “reversing 9% cuts to our capital budget”.

Ms McAllen said: “This government and parliament have great ambitions and there is no doubt that investing in net zero emissions now is the right thing to do for our environment, society and economy. But we are being held back.”

“I am therefore asking MPs in this House to work with us in calling on the UK Government to reverse capital cuts in Scotland.”

read more:
An uncomfortable truth about climate targets – people are already struggling to pay their bills

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvey said he was “angry and disappointed” at the decision.

He added: “We must see urgent and accelerated climate action across all sectors and at all levels of government, and parties that vote for the targets but then block the action needed to achieve them will have no credibility.

“I have no doubt that if successive Scottish and UK governments take the action required at the time, as the Greens have always urged, we will be on track to achieve the 2030 target.

“That’s not the case, which is why we need to focus on delivering real change and scaling up climate action.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland called the announcement “the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament”.

Campaign director Imogen Dow said: “Instead of using the last decade to deliver warm homes, reliable public transport and a fair transition away from fossil fuels, incompetent short-termist politicians have left millions trapped in A broken status quo only benefits the big polluters.”

Ms Tao called for the release of delayed climate change plans and urged the government to apologize for its “colossal climate failure”.

She added: “Instead of a significant response and stepped-up action, the Scottish Government has presented a weak, rekindled set of ideas, many of which were promised years ago but never cash.”

The head of Oxfam Scotland called it a “reprehensible retreat”.

Jamie Livingstone added: “With scientists linking West Africa’s deadly heatwave to climate change and Dubai drowning in torrential downpours, the urgency of climate action could not be clearer.

“The announcement of most recycling measures represents a small step forward rather than the giant leap required and is a thinly veiled distraction from ministers’ failure to deliver on their existing climate commitments.”

Smart Green Shipping CEO and founder Diane Gilpin met Humza Yousaf on Wednesday as the First Minister officially “launched” a 20-metre wing sail, The wing sail will be put to sea for testing later this year.

It is hoped that wing sails will help change the way many commercial ships are powered and reduce fuel emissions.

Ms Gilpin said Holyrood’s backsliding was “disappointing” but “aims are targets”.

She added: “We need to focus on solutions that will drive us towards net zero emissions.

“Scotland continues to set an example for other countries, with initiatives to fund and support first movers and a wealth of ambition and collaboration, including Citizens’ Climate Assemblies, designed to engage the public in decision-making to tackle climate change.

“By continuing to focus on practical solutions, Scotland will regain its position as a leader in net zero emissions.”