Experts urge ‘more devolved’ approach to tackling climate change 16/02/2021, 11:38 am
A more devolved approach is needed for Scotland to achieve its climate change ambitions, Edinburgh University experts said (David Jones/PA)
The Scottish Government needs to take a more devolved approach if it is to meet key emissions reductions targets – including the aim of achieving net zero by 2045 – experts have insisted.
Researchers at Edinburgh University said that with national goals having been set, ministers should give regional authorities clear responsibilities and the necessary resources to make the changes.
A new paper looked at whether lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic could be applied to improve measures to combat climate change.
The Scottish Government has been told to devolve responsibility and funding to city regions to meet climate change targets RESEARCHERS have warned that the Scottish Government must adopt a more devolved strategy to achieve its key carbon reduction targets by handing more resources and powers to city regions. The warning from experts at Edinburgh University comes as Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs that the UK Government needs to do more to help unlock renewable opportunities from power grid charges or Scottish householders could face higher electricity bills. The Scottish Government has set the target of cutting 1990 levels of emissions by 75% by 2030, as part of progress towards achieving net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the UK Government’s commitment.