Act now or all hope for planet will disappear, climate change report warns

The Committee on Climate Change called for ministers to set a new legal target for a 100% cut in all greenhouse gases by mid-century as soon as possible, and to urgently ramp up efforts to cut emissions.

Ministers at Westminster yesterday backed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s call in declaring an “environmental and climate emergency”.

The move was echoed by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who called for “radical” action to tackle the crisis. 

But it was today’s report that laid bare the extent of the challenges ahead. It suggested Scotland can end its contribution to global warming within 25 years by setting an ambitious new target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to net-zero by 2045.

The Scottish Government’s climate change bill has already lodged

At present the UK has a decade-old target to cut emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050.

Analysis: Climate clock is ticking and now is time for politicians to fight for our future

And it says Scotland can end its contribution to global warming within 25 years by setting an ambitious new target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to net-zero by 2045..

The Scottish Government’s climate change bill, which recently completed Stage One in its journey through parliament last week targets a 90 per cent reduction in admission by 2050.

It said the new targets should cover all Scottish emissions, including from international aviation and shipping.

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg described the UK's response to climate change as "beyond absurd" in a recent address to MPs

Hitting the "net zero" target would also mean an end to heating of homes with traditional gas boilers, more green electricity, and a switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles, walking and cycling.

The report said it could require people to eat less meat and dairy and take fewer flights.

Peatland plays a key role in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon. Across Scotland as a whole it is estimated that peatlands store 1.6 billion tons.

And the CCC said there is potential to more than double the area of restored peatland in Scotland from 1.5m acres today to over 3.5m acres by 2050, which would further reduce emissions.

Trebling woodland creation in the UK from 10,000 hectares a year today to around 30,000 hectares in 2050, and a 20% cut in beef, lamb and dairy consumption would also help meet the new targets.

The CCC said: "Both targets [UK and Scotland] require the same set of actions, but Scotland is able to reach net-zero earlier because of its excellent potential to plant trees and in carbon capture and storage technology."

But the public body, formed under the Climate Change Act (2008) to guide on tackling and preparing for climate change said Scotland cannot deliver net-zero emissions by 2045 through devolved policy alone.

Read more: "Scotland is becoming a true global renewable player" 

The report said: "It will require both UK-wide and Scottish policies to ramp up significantly. If the UK does not commit to a net-zero GHG target for 2050 then Scotland may need to revise its target.

The document, which was requested by the UK governments last year, warns that the proposed 2040 date for the phasing-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK is too late, and recommends bringing it forward to 2030, or at the latest 2035. In Scotland it is set to come into effect in 2032.

More ambitious plans were also urgently needed in the UK on cutting emissions from heating buildings and developing technology to capture and store carbon from power and industrial plants.

Climate Change Committee chairman Lord Deben said: "We can do it, we know how to do it and we will benefit from doing it.

And he added: "We started the industrial revolution, we have been responsible for the biggest segment of the climate change that is happening in our world today."

He said it was "essential" the commitment to net zero was "comprehensive" and covered international aviation and shipping.

"UK emissions now constitute only a small proportion of the global total, but those who say the UK’s actions no longer matter are wrong. Every tonne of carbon counts, wherever it is emitted.

"It is right that the UK takes a lead on this issue. We have played a major part in the battle against global climate change to date. The UK is one of the largest historical contributors to climate change. And there is the prospect of real benefits to UK citizens: cleaner air, healthier diets, improved health and new economic opportunities from clean growth.

"The UK must make firm plans for housing and domestic heat; for industrial emissions; carbon capture and storage; road transport; agriculture; aviation and shipping."

And he added:"I urge the governments of the UK, in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff to consider our advice carefully and legislate for these new targets as swiftly as possible.

“Scotland has been a leader within the UK with many of its policies to tackle climate change. By setting a strong net-zero target for 2045 it can continue that leadership on the world stage. It will be tough, but it can be done and Scotland’s strong track record positions it well to succeed.”

The CCC said that any remaining pollution in 2050 from UK areas including aviation will need to be "offset" through measures to capture carbon such as planting trees.

The shift, which is achievable with known technologies, will deliver economic opportunities, as well as warmer and more comfortable homes, cleaner air, better health and a boost for wildlife, a report from the committee said.

In an interview with The Herald, Tony Blair insisted the only solution to climate change was through science and technology as he called for “global leadership” to tackle what he accepted was a worldwide climate emergency.

Noting how during his premiership he had put climate change on the G7 agenda in Kyoto and introduced green legislation to reduce carbon emissions, the former Prime Minister insisted science and technology was now the “only way you can deal with it”.

He explained: “Because as the population of Africa doubles over the next 30 years, which it will do, and China and India are the major emitters in the world, you are going to have to have a global agreement. Otherwise whatever we do here is not going to be sufficient.”

The new Scottish targets were welcomed by environmental groups .
Mike Robinson, board member of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition of more than 100 organisations, demanded politicians put words into action.
“It’s now up to MSPs to show they are listening to public concern and reflect the ambition of this exciting report in the Climate Change Bill currently going through Parliament,” he said.

John Bynorth, policy and communications officer at Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS) said there needed to be better communication with the Scottish public about the need to make lifestyle changes.

And he said public messages needed to be backed up by generous grants and other funding to help people make the transition to a low carbon future.

“The report highlights how people should consider changing their daily lives, from the way they travel to the heating of their homes. The types of food people eat and their impacts on greenhouse gas emissions through some farming practices, together with the damage caused by waste, should also be addressed,” he said.

Gina Hanrahan, head of policy at WWF Scotland, a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, added “This game-changing advice shows that tackling climate change is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to innovate and thrive. 

“We’ve already made progress but we need to strengthen policy today and deliver swift, decisive action. That would mean huge benefits such as warmer homes, cleaner air, better health and a flourishing countryside, producing good food. The report shows all this is possible and affordable.” 

Clara Goldsmith, from the Climate Coalition of groups including the National Trust, RSPB, WWF, the Women’s Institute and Cafod, said: “We call on the (UK) Government to set in legislation a world-leading target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and put in place the ambitious policies and investment to back it up.

“This would put the UK in pole position to lead the global zero-carbon revolution.”

Business group the CBI said the recommendations “mark a new dawn for climate change action in the UK”, with a need for a step change in Government policy, business action and the way people live their lives.

Green MP Caroline Lucas, who has argued climate change needs to be treated like a war-time emergency, said: “We need to be serious that a climate emergency isn’t a matter of a few words and then we move on with business as usual. Business as usual is climate appeasement.

“We need change when it comes to the kind of emergency we might face with conflict or war, that kind of single-minded mobilisation, because at extraordinary times, extraordinary things can happen.” a 20% cut in beef, lamb and dairy consumption would also help meet the new targets.

The CCC said: “Both targets [UK and Scotland] require the same set of actions, but Scotland is able to reach net-zero earlier because of its excellent potential to plant trees and in carbon capture and storage technology.”

But the public body, formed under the Climate Change Act (2008) to guide on tackling and preparing for climate change said Scotland cannot deliver net-zero emissions by 2045 through devolved policy alone. 

The report said: “It will require both UK-wide and Scottish policies to ramp up significantly. If the UK does not commit to a net-zero GHG target for 2050 then Scotland may need to revise its target.”

The document, which was requested by the UK Government last year, warns that the proposed 2040 date for the phasing-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK is too late, and recommends bringing it forward to 2030, or at the latest 2035.  In Scotland it is set to come into effect in 2032.

More ambitious plans were also urgently needed in the UK on cutting emissions from heating buildings and developing technology to capture and store carbon from power and industrial plants.

Climate Change Committee chairman Lord Deben said: “We can do it, we know how to do it and we will benefit from doing it.

And he added: “We can all see that the climate is changing and it needs a serious response.

“The UK must make firm plans for housing and domestic heat; for industrial emissions; carbon capture and storage; road transport; agriculture; aviation and shipping.

“I urge the governments of the UK, in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, to consider our advice carefully and legislate for these new targets as swiftly as possible.

“Scotland has been a leader within the UK with many of its policies to tackle climate change. By setting a strong net-zero target for 2045 it can continue that leadership on the world stage. It will be tough, but it can be done and Scotland’s strong track record positions it well to succeed.”

The CCC said that any remaining pollution in 2050 from UK areas including aviation will need to be “offset” through measures to capture carbon such as planting trees.

The shift, which is achievable with known technologies, will deliver economic opportunities, as well as warmer and more comfortable homes, cleaner air, better health and a boost for wildlife, a report from the committee said.

In an interview with The Herald, Tony Blair insisted the only solution to climate change was through science and technology as he called for “global leadership” to tackle what he accepted was a worldwide climate emergency.

Noting that during his premiership he had put climate change on the G7 agenda in Kyoto and introduced green legislation to reduce carbon emissions, the former Prime Minister insisted science and technology was now the “only way you can deal with it”.

He explained: “Because as the population of Africa doubles over the next 30 years, which it will do, and China and India are the major emitters in the world, you are going to have to have a global agreement. Otherwise whatever we do here is not going to be sufficient.”

The new Scottish targets were welcomed by environmental groups.

Mike Robinson, board member of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition of more than 100 organisations, demanded politicians put words into action.
“It’s now up to MSPs to show they are listening to public concern and reflect the ambition of this exciting report in the Climate Change Bill currently going through Parliament,” he said.

John Bynorth, policy and communications officer at Environmental Protection Scotland, said better communication with the Scottish public was 
needed.

And he said public messages needed to be backed up by generous grants and other funding to help people make the transition to a low carbon future.

“The report highlights how people should consider changing their daily lives, from the way they travel to the heating of their homes. 

The types of food people eat and their impacts on greenhouse gas emissions through some farming practices, together with the damage caused by waste, should also be addressed,” he said.

Gina Hanrahan, head of policy at WWF Scotland, a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, added “This game-changing advice shows that tackling climate change is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to innovate and thrive. 

“We’ve already made progress but we need to strengthen policy today and deliver swift, decisive action. That would mean huge benefits such as warmer homes, cleaner air, better health and a flourishing countryside, producing good food. The report shows all this is possible and affordable.” 

Clara Goldsmith, from the Climate Coalition of groups including the National Trust, RSPB, WWF, the Women’s Institute and Cafod, said: “We call on the (UK) Government to set in legislation a world-leading target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and put in place the ambitious policies and investment to back it up.

“This would put the UK in pole position to lead the global zero-carbon revolution.”

Business group the CBI said the recommendations “mark a new dawn for climate change action in the UK”, with a need for a step change in Government policy, business action and the way people live their lives.

Green MP Caroline Lucas, who has argued climate change needs to be treated like a war-time emergency, said: “We need to be serious that a climate emergency isn’t a matter of a few words and then we move on with business as usual. Business as usual is climate appeasement.”