Just Transition: draft plan for transport in Scotland

9. Transport Economy Fact Sheet

Climate change

Transport accounts for 32% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions (2022).

Domestic transport alone makes up the largest source of emissions in Scotland 28% (2022).

Road transport produces 75% of all transport emissions (2021).

(sources: Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics and Transport and Travel in Scotland)

Workforce

Transport employed 144,000 people in 2023. This is 5% of the total Scottish workforce.

By mode, the workforce comprises:

65% in road transport

9% in port & maritime

8% in aviation

6% in rail

12% in other modes.

(source: BRES)

Economic value

Transport is a key part of the Scottish economy.

Transport GVA was £8.3bn in 2022 and the sector sustained 7,470 businesses in 2023.

(sources: Annual Business Survey and businesses in Scotland)

Wages

Average weekly pay in the transport sector is £656, higher than the Scottish average of £588 (2023).

(source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings)

Skills

53% of transport roles are highly skilled and 36% are low skilled. This compares to 51% and 21% nationally.

Around 2,400 people start on transport-related Modern Apprenticeships annually.

(source: Annual Population Survey and Skills Development Scotland)