Scotland's Environment and Economy Leaders' Group - Tackling the climate emergency and sharing our stories

2. Why Scotland needs to be net zero

We have stretched the Earth's systems beyond their sustainable limits. In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a Special Report on the implications of 1.5° Celsius warming. This report demonstrated the serious consequences of not taking action to limit temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius - including increased risks of weather extremes, environmental degradation, food insecurity, economic disruption and conflict. In May 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published the biggest ever global health check of the state of life on earth. It found that the health of the planet's ecosystems, on which we and all other species depend, is deteriorating faster than at any time in human history.

These crises are linked. The climate-nature system has co-evolved for the past 4 billion years and currently regulates a safe operating space for humanity.^[2] Climate change is a key driver of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Conversely, protecting and restoring nature is an essential part of storing and removing greenhouse gas emissions and rebuilding our resilience to the impact of climate change. Nature is our best insurance policy against the climate emergency. Taking action to reduce emissions and restore our natural environment builds resilience and provides us with an opportunity to build our economy in a fair and sustainable way.

Scotland has committed to a just transition to net zero by 2045 and to playing our full role in tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises that are facing our natural world. The actions needed to become net zero by 2045 will transform all sectors of our economy and society. As the pace of our transition increases, the need to ensure our transition is just and fair for everyone becomes ever more important. A just transition puts people, communities and places at the heart of our approach to taking action. Through planning, preparation and meaningful engagement we can make the most of the potential benefits and opportunities the transition offers, while mitigating risks to those who may be worst impacted. The transition can realise green jobs, a better environment and a thriving economy that supports our wellbeing.

Published in December 2020, the Scottish Government's Climate Change Plan update helps set out green recovery plans, alongside a strategy to meet Scotland's future emissions reduction targets. The update will help protect biodiversity, create good, green jobs, and accelerate the just transition to net zero.

As environment, forestry, land use and marine focused public bodies and agencies, tackling these crises is at the heart of our work. Action taken by us has direct impact and can be used to form knowledge, expertise and best practice – especially if we commit to sharing our lessons. When we act collectively as significant employers, partners, land owners and purchasers our scale and impact means we can also drive wider change.