The role of public sector bodies in tackling climate change: consultation

Ministerial Foreword

There is a Global Climate Emergency and everyone across Scotland needs to be part of the solution. 

The UK Committee on Climate Change has provided the evidence that Scotland can become a net-zero nation by 2045, and there is a strong consensus – across political parties, generations, and sectors – that we can and should make a step-change in our activity. We have already almost halved greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, while growing the economy, increasing employment and productivity, and we are recognised internationally as climate leaders. That puts us in a strong position to increase the pace of action, and end our contribution to climate change, definitively, within a generation.

The challenges ahead of us should not be underestimated, and we need a whole-Scotland approach to succeed. Scotland’s public sector has played a key role in our emissions reductions so far and I applaud the effort and successes that have been made to date. I also recognise, and commend, the ambition of those bodies such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands and Moray Councils who have committed to leading the way. We will all benefit from their ambition.   

The transition to a net-zero society is an investment in our present and our future. It will require collective action across our Public Sector Bodies, along with meaningful and open conversations between our communities, businesses and public sector organisations. The transition brings both opportunities and challenges and I believe that constructive dialogue, underpinned by meaningful action, should be central to our approach. 

I look forward to hearing your views on how we can work together to continue to strengthen our approach to decarbonising and improving the lives of the people who live here. I thank you in advance for your response. 

Roseanna Cunningham MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform