SCOTLAND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FALL ONE PER CENT IN 2024

Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions fell by one per cent in 2024 compared with the previous year, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government. The reduction is nearly half the 1.9 per cent fall recorded in 2023, indicating a slowdown in progress. Most of the 2024 reduction came from changes in land use. Emissions from transport — covering both domestic travel and international aviation — and from buildings increased over the same period.

Since 1990, Scotland's total greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than half, according to official figures showing a 50.5 per cent reduction. Every sector has contributed to that long-term decline except international aviation and shipping. Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin stated that the Scottish Government must accelerate its progress. The Scottish Government has previously set out a net zero target for 2045 and cited £42.3 billion in projected direct financial benefits, with the net-zero economy currently supporting around 105,000 jobs.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition manager Fraser Sutherland said the figures showed that action on climate change had not been strong enough or fast enough. Friends of the Earth Scotland's Catrina Randall said the results represented a missed opportunity, pointing to insufficient progress on public transport use and home energy efficiency. Both organisations called for faster and stronger action. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the need to increase the pace of emissions reductions.