Scotland 2030 climate target scrapped as it's 'out of reach'

The Scottish government is scrapping its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.

Net Zero minister Mairi McAllan told the Scottish Parliament the climate change target is "out of reach".

The chief executive of Scottish Renewables, which represents the renewable energy sector, has called the move "extremely disappointing".

However, the government says its final goal of reaching "net-zero" by 2045 will remain.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg started a global movement after demanding action against climate change

Where did Scotland's climate target come from?

Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions and to declare a climate emergency.

The Scottish Parliament passed its legislation to speed up the rate of decarbonisation in 2019.

It set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75%, which was 5% more than recommended by experts, and the Climate Change Bill was agreed.

It was during the school climate strikes when millions of young people around the world joined demonstrations against climate change in support of Greta Thunberg's calls for more action.

However, ministers have missed eight of the last 12 annual targets to reduce emissions, despite them being written into the law.

What is net zero, and how does it work?

Climate scientists agree that greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere which contribute to global warming and climate change.

Net zero is when the amount of greenhouse gases produced is equal to the amount removed from the atmosphere.

This can be achieved by either reducing, or not producing, more greenhouse gases, for example by cutting the use of fossil fuels.

Or by extracting any gases that are released through carbon capture schemes, like planting trees which take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen.

Renewable energy created by windfarms is being used to try and achieve net zero targets

Have emissions been falling?

By 2021 greenhouse gas emissions had fallen in Scotland by 49.2% compared with the baseline level in 1990 but the law needed a 51.1% fall by that date to keep on track.

Some industries like the energy and waste sectors have seen big changes that have reduced emissions,

Others like transport and agriculture have not seen as much change.

Cows produce the greenhouse gas called methane

What will the Scottish government do now?

The Net Zero minister's statement promised new measures.

These included:

• Increasing the number of electric vehicle charge points, with 24,000 added by 2030

• Publishing a "route map" which would help with a 20% reduction in cars

• Supporting businesses to move away from petrol and diesel vans

• Considering a new ticketing system for public transport across Scotland which would allow travellers to use a single system for their whole journey

• Investing in projects looking at restoring more peatland which captures carbon

• Working with some Scottish farms to reduce the amount of methane gas in things like animal feed

Net Zero minister Mairi McAllan told the Scottish Parliament the climate change target is "out of reach"

What has the reaction been to Scotland's climate target being scrapped?

Claire Mack, the chief executive of Scottish Renewables said the move was "extremely disappointing".

She called for strong policies to ensure carbon emissions are reduced at the rate required across every sector.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has said decades of inaction has caused "a global climate emergency".

The Scottish Conservatives said it was an "absolute humiliation" for the SNP and Green government at Holyrood.

Scottish Labour said Scotland had gone from a "world leader in setting targets to a world leader in scrapping targets".

First Minister Humza Yousaf hit back by pointing out the number of environmental policies Labour had not supported and saying his government would provide a timetable for "accelerated action".

The National Farmers Union in Scotland has welcomed the government's "change in direction".

"We now need to focus exclusively on net zero but not necessarily be legally bound by deadlines," said NFU Scotland vice-president Alasdair Macnab.

"The emphasis must shift to 'how' rather than being a hostage to 'when'."