Close import loophole to cut Scotland’s carbon footprint

Figures released by the Scottish Government this week (9 June) show that Scotland’s carbon footprint has increased 1.6% from 2021 to 2022.  Campaigners say a loophole in the way Scotland’s carbon footprint is measured is a backdoor for corporations to pollute, meaning the rest of us suffer the consequences of climate breakdown. 

Scotland’s Climate Change Plan measures emissions from Scotland, like transport and heating, but does not include those from imported goods and services. Over time, the proportion of Scotland’s carbon footprint that comes from imports has grown and now makes up more than half of Scotland’s overall carbon footprint. In 2002, emissions from imports were 40% of Scotland’s carbon footprint, 20 years later, in 2022, they have grown to 53%.  

Later this year, the Scottish Government will be consulting on new circular economy targets for Scotland, which will drive fairer and more sustainable use of materials. One option for this target is to reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint to sustainable levels. This would close this “import loophole” and hold corporations to account for the harms created in their supply chains.  

Kim Pratt, Senior Campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said: 

“It’s disgraceful that the Scottish Government’s plan to cut climate emissions is failing to account for more than half of Scotland’s carbon footprint. This import loophole allows big businesses to dodge their responsibilitieswhilst the rest of us suffer the consequences. 

“Corporate powers and elites are getting rich from the current system but every year, more people are harmed by climate breakdown. Whether you live in Scotland, Slovenia or South Sudan, climate breakdown is a threat to your way of life.  

“A better future is possible if corporations are held to account for the harms they commit. Only Governments can force corporations to act and the first step for the Scottish Government is to set a carbon footprint target that closes the import loophole.” 

Becky Kenton-Lake, Circular Economy Policy Officer for Circular Communities Scotland said: 

“The Scottish Government has stated its commitment to transitioning to a circular economy, with sustainable levels of resource use. This data showing our carbon footprint is continuing to grow underlines the urgent need to make this vision a reality. 

 “This year new circular economy targets are due to be set, and these must drive a reduction in consumption, alongside measures to make it easier to reuse and repair. This will not only mean that Scotland’s carbon footprint falls, but that wealth is retained within communities, natural resources are protected, and new jobs are created.” 

Scotland’s carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gas emissions from all the products and services we consume and from travel and heating as well. It includes emissions from imports and is the most complete measure of our climate impact published annually by the Scottish Government. 

Scotland’s carbon footprint rose from 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 to 61 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Since 2020, Scotland’s carbon footprint has been rising, increasing by 11%(5.8 MtCO2e) in this time.