A LITTLE over years have passed since the first Scottish Climate Change Act was passed.
Yet even then there was bumping of gums and stroking of chins as to what such a move could ‘really’ achieve. How could a piece of legislation in Scotland help move environmental hearts and minds?
As the Scottish Government prepares a new Climate Change Bill WWF Scotland has released telling new data showing just what has changed since 2009.
The environmental charity says in that period, the carbon footprint of homes across Scotland has fallen on average 25%.
They put that down to a combination of a growth in renewables, more efficient homes and appliances, and new climate change policies.
Their analysis shows how the ‘climate damage’ caused by people using electricity, gas and other fuels to power and heat their homes has fallen since the first Climate Change Act was passed.
WWF Scotland claims Scotland’s electricity supply has “decarbonised significantly” with renewables now providing over half of Scotland’s electricity generation.
The charity also points to improvements in energy efficiency of buildings snd more efficient appliances.
Gina Hanrahan, Acting Head of Policy at WWF Scotland said: “The Scottish Parliament’s first Climate Change Act put us at the forefront of a global energy transition.
“These figures show that individuals across Scotland and governments at every level have played a part in cutting the climate damage of our home energy usage.
“When it comes to cutting our emissions, and protecting ourselves, the places and nature we hold dear from the worst effects of climate change, we all need to continue to do our bit.”
| Local authority area | 2009 per capita domestic Emissions (t) | 2015 per capita domestic Emissions (t) | per capita % domestic emission reduction 2009-2015 |
| Aberdeen City | 2.39 | 1.76 | 26.4% |
| Aberdeenshire | 2.93 | 2.15 | 26.7% |
| Angus | 2.63 | 1.96 | 25.6% |
| Argyll and Bute | 3.12 | 2.28 | 27.1% |
| Clackmannanshire | 2.33 | 1.80 | 22.5% |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 2.80 | 2.11 | 24.7% |
| Dundee City | 2.31 | 1.65 | 28.5% |
| East Ayrshire | 2.32 | 1.79 | 22.8% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 2.50 | 1.95 | 22.1% |
| East Lothian | 2.38 | 1.80 | 24.4% |
| East Renfrewshire | 2.49 | 1.93 | 22.4% |
| City of Edinburgh | 2.24 | 1.65 | 26.7% |
| Eilean Siar | 3.73 | 2.71 | 27.5% |
| Falkirk | 2.35 | 1.81 | 22.8% |
| Fife | 2.42 | 1.88 | 22.2% |
| Glasgow City | 2.05 | 1.47 | 28.2% |
| Highland | 3.27 | 2.28 | 30.3% |
| Inverclyde | 2.29 | 1.77 | 22.4% |
| Midlothian | 2.24 | 1.71 | 23.6% |
| Moray | 2.64 | 1.97 | 25.2% |
| North Ayrshire | 2.33 | 1.78 | 23.6% |
| North Lanarkshire | 2.20 | 1.72 | 22.1% |
| Orkney Islands | 3.50 | 2.46 | 29.8% |
| Perth and Kinross | 2.87 | 2.05 | 28.7% |
| Renfrewshire | 2.26 | 1.71 | 24.2% |
| Scottish Borders | 2.95 | 2.23 | 24.4% |
| Shetland Islands | 3.33 | 2.35 | 29.3% |
| South Ayrshire | 2.55 | 1.96 | 23.1% |
| South Lanarkshire | 2.46 | 1.89 | 23.1% |
| Stirling | 2.59 | 1.91 | 26.3% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 2.14 | 1.64 | 23.4% |
| West Lothian | 2.23 | 1.75 | 21.6% |
| Scotland Total | 2.46 | 1.84 | 25.3% |
The above analysis was undertaken by WWF Scotland using official statistics from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
She said the Scottish Government had a chance to “step up” and put Scotland “on the path” to a greener future.
She added: “This analysis shows Scotland’s low-carbon transition is working, but we must step up our efforts.
“A new Climate Change Bill this year is an opportunity to double down on our commitments to make our homes more energy efficient, to increase the use of renewables to heat homes, and put Scotland on the path to a zero-carbon future.”
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WANT TO LEARN MORE? Read: UK Local authority and regional carbon dioxide emissions national statistics 2005-2015
IMAGE CREDITS: cc Tero Vesalainen