With the Climate Change Scotland Bill now in parliament, it is important that everyone starts thinking how they will contribute to the ambitious world leading targets set out in the Bill.
As Scotland's environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a key role in addressing climate change and has today (19 December) published its climate change plan for SEPA. This plan sets out SEPA's role in climate change and the actions it will take over the next five years.
SEPA's Chief Executive, Campbell Gemmell, said: "SEPA is the public body charged with protecting Scotland's environment, and as such we strongly support the Scottish Government's introduction of an interim target in 2030, to set the trajectory in Scotland towards the 80% reduction by2050. The annual targets will ensure a year on year reduction in emissions, reinforcing the fact we need to start making big reductions sooner rather later. These targets provide strong signals to the public sector and businesses that action is needed now to move towards a more energy efficient and low carbon economy.
"Our SEPA plan aims to embed climate change across the organisation so that it is integrated into our decision making, the way we regulate and our policy decisions. It is important that we support Scottish Government and help Scotland to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change already happening.
"But SEPA, of course, cannot tackle climate change alone and we will all need to work together to be truly effective in limiting and adapting to climate change. We look forward to working with all our customers and partners to deliver our climate change plan, for SEPA and for Scotland."
SEPA itself will need to adapt to Scotland's changing climate, and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its own activities. The target has been set to reduce emissions by 25% by 2012 from a 2006/2007 baseline.
To view SEPA's Climate change Plan, please visit
www.sepa.org.uk/climate_change.aspx
