See this from WWF Scotland:
‘New analysis from WWF Scotland published today (Thursday 4 Jan) maps out how the carbon footprint of homes across Scotland has fallen since the Scottish Climate Change Act was passed in 2009. The climate change footprint of each individual’s household energy consumption has been cut by an average of 25% across Scotland, thanks to the growth of renewables, more efficient homes and appliances, and governments’ climate change policies. The charity’s analysis shows how the ‘climate damage’ caused by people using electricity, gas and other fuels to power and heat their homes has fallen rapidly since the first Climate Change Act was passed.’
The WWF goes on to credit the Scottish Parliament with putting Scotland at ‘the forefront of a global energy transition.’
Readers will have seen many reports here on Scotland’s progress toward 100% electricity supply from renewables. The government target is 2030 but it may come much earlier in 2020. See:
Scotland rushing toward 100% electricity supply from renewables by 2020
Though I’ve tended to concentrate on the economic benefits of the growth of renewables generation in the context of the debate over independence, it is, of course, very pleasing to hear of the environmental benefits. Further, if we can reduce our carbon footprint by 25% in only 8 years, presumably we can go much further in the years to come.
Footnote: Should WWF Scotland change their logo to a Polar Bear cub now that the pair in Scotland have successfully bred? I’m beginning to give up on these expensive pandas.
Talking-up Scotland 
Nobody asks me for advice
LikeLike
Ooops, forgot about you. Presumably, you’d ensure procreation? Also, wouldn’t try to bugger a polar bear.
LikeLike
I note that the Climate Change Act was passed by a Labour/LibDem administration, althpough almost all of the implementation has been under SNP administrations. I wonder if Mr Leonard and Mr Rennie will hail this outcome for a policy they put on the statute book and congratulate the SNP for pursuing it with such vigour.
Over to you Ms Baillie…….
LikeLiked by 1 person
That will be interesting
LikeLike
Targets were passed by the SNP under Salmond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Noticed this on beeb England website re. the UK Govt accessing ‘dormant’ bank account monies for Good Causes – seems like the SNP Scottish Govt will be allocated a share for Scotland. I’m sure there will be no shortage of good ideas where the extra funding can go to try and mitigate Westminster’s austerity adiction even a tiny bit. I know these dormant funds have been accessed previously – but I hadn’t previously seen any mention of Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland getting dedicated shares (see below):
Dormant bank accounts to yield £330m more for good causes
Up to £50m will be allocated to the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting piece on the beeb N. Ireland site giving a comment from the Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesman. Looks to me as if the Departmental spokesman feels able to be more explicit than either Fergus Ewing or his Welsh counterpart have felt it ‘politick’ to be thus far. Given the DUP deal propping up the Tory Govt I feel the comment might be a hopeful indication of the way the wind is blowing re. UK/Devolved administrations tug-of-war over post-brexit decision making in the Agricultural Sector. Time will tell (ideally it won’t matter because we’ll be Indy before then – but just as well to prepare ground for the longer haul just in case). (See below):
Stormont minister to decide farm payments
A decision on financial support for NI farmers after Brexit will be one for a future devolved minister, agriculture department officials have said.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said English farmers could expect subsidies at the current level until 2024.
Then the system would switch from one based on farm size to one rewarding farmers for “public goods”, such as biodiversity and water quality.
He was speaking at a major farming conference in Oxford.
Officials in Northern Ireland would study the speech but any decision on payments after a UK transition period ended “would be a matter for a minister”, said a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Motif for WWF Scotland should be a Border Collie and a Highland Cow with a saltire flying behind.
LikeLiked by 1 person