As a researcher and Co-Director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, I spend a lot of my time thinking about how as a society we can adapt to a rapidly changing climate. But there are lots of things we can do to reduce our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
I am fortunate to be the Policy Director of ClimateXChange (CXC), commissioning research to support the Scottish Government as it develops policies related to climate change. The research that we commission forges new pathways for climate action and it shows that everyone has a role to play in helping Scotland reach net zero emissions.
Two of the biggest sources of emissions from individuals in Scotland come from the energy we use to heat our homes and driving our cars, with transport accounting for around a quarter of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest sectoral emitter, with cars making up 39 per cent of transport emissions.
Sustainable travel, such as walking, wheeling, cycling or public transport use, can result in multiple positive benefits for individuals and the planet. CXC commissioned research has found that these actions create a better environment for everyone, with cleaner air, less noise pollution and better temperature control in cities. And of course, there are health benefits as active travel leads to better physical and mental health.
Locations with high-quality active and sustainable travel infrastructure and improved public spaces are more attractive and may provide better access to jobs and education opportunities. Land values and rental prices for businesses increase, making areas more desirable to live and for investment.
We are also doing a lot of work exploring the best ways to heat our buildings in Scotland with around 19% of Scotland’s emissions coming from our homes and workplaces, primarily from heating them with gas boilers (Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics 2022).
Our choice of heating system depends on what specialists are available locally, space constraints and building type. For instance, installing insulation is a simple way to reduce energy in our homes, keeping the home cosier for longer and leading to long term savings on energy bills. And then you have ground source heat pumps which are a good option for care homes or other large commercial buildings, while air source heat pumps are preferred for smaller buildings and in rural areas with plenty of outdoor space.
Dangerous and rapid climate change is impacting everyone around the world because of our actions, it is therefore within our power to make changes that will reduce our impact on the planet. Everyday we make decisions about how to travel or what to eat; if we consider these things alongside how much we can save in terms of cost for our pockets and the benefits for the planet we can make a difference. I realise that not everyone can take all the actions we need to achieve net zero but where we can, we should. How we change our habits from now on will dictate whether we meet out net zero targets and save our children's future.
Climate change may seem like a really daunting challenge to tackle as an individual but there are lots of small and positive ways we can change our habits to help protect ourselves and our families from the worst of what’s to come.
Dr Kate Donovan is Co-Director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, Policy Director for ClimateXChange and Senior Lecturer in Climate Risk and Resilience at the University of Edinburgh
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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