SNP ministers have been slammed after delaying a long-awaited climate plan on cutting Scots’ car use which was due in the autumn. The Scottish Government has set a goal to reduce car kilometres by 20 per cent by 2030 in the effort to drive down emissions.
A draft “route map” was first published in 2022 – but the final version of the plan, more than two years later, is still “nowhere to be seen”, said MSP Monica Lennon. It comes after the SNP Holyrood administration already ditched an overall emissions target to slash emissions by 75 per cent by the end of the decade.
The controversial move to abandon the goal previously set by Nicola Sturgeon’s government was due to it no longer being deemed achievable. Green groups have been growing steadily more worried about climate backsliding from John Swinney’s administration amid key policy delays.
We told in March how leading environmentalist Dr Richard Dixon blasted the Scottish Government’s proposals to date to reduce car miles as “complete rubbish”. The Scottish Government said it is still analysing and considering the responses to its consultation which closed in April 2022, after first pledging the policy in 2020.
Scottish Labour MSP Lennon hit out: “Despite making a world-leading pledge to reduce car kilometres by 20 per cent by 2030, SNP ministers have failed to produce a proper plan. The Scottish Government’s long-awaited route map to cut car use is nowhere to be seen, leaving many environmental and social justice campaigners doubting the SNP’s ability to tackle the climate crisis and toxic pollution.
“Communities across Scotland urgently need more affordable, reliable and greener public transport and active travel options. The Scottish Government must publish the route map, as more delay will likely lead to more missed climate targets.”
Other delays include two crucial long-awaited documents – the government’s new Energy Strategy and its updated Climate Change Plan. Measures like taking control of air travel taxes and introducing national integrated public transport ticketing have also faced years of delays.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The draft route map to achieving a 20 per cent reduction in car use was published in 2022 and was followed by a period of engagement and consultation. Analysis and consideration of the consultation responses are shaping the updated route map which will be published in due course.
“The route map is co-produced with COSLA, in recognition of the joint commitment to a just transition to reducing car use, and we are continuing to work closely with local and regional partners to update the route map and will publish it on completion of that engagement.”
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