Scottish Government ditches climate commitment to reduce car use

Climate campaigners have reacted angrily to yet another dropped climate commitment by the Scottish Government, saying that the First Minister’s leadership has been “characterised by a chronic failure to deliver on climate promises.”

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop told a Holyrood committee this morning that the Scottish Government is scrapping its commitment to reduce car kilometres driven by 20% by 2030.

Transport is Scotland’s most climate polluting sector. The 20% reduction commitment has been in place since the 2020 Climate Change Plan Update but a final plan for meeting this goal was never delivered. A draft route map to hit the goal was published in 2022 but that was simply a rehash of existing policies.

Analysis last week showed that the Scottish Government has delivered on just 3 out of 19 climate policies promised in the wake of its decision to scrap its crucial 2030 targets to cut emissions.

Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Caroline Rance commented,

“The Scottish Government is shamefully reversing away from yet another climate commitment. Transformative action to reduce dependence on cars will cut climate pollution, toxic air and improve the lives of people around Scotland.

“John Swinney’s leadership to date has been characterised by a chronic failure to deliver on climate promises to the public. His government has presided over increasing train fares, slowing action on renewable heating systems and undermining the transition away from oil and gas.

“One third of households in Scotland don’t have access to a car, in our cities it’s closer to a half. These are typically the poorest households, and poor public transport options means they are cut off from school, work and health appointments.

“Meanwhile, 2,700 people die every year from toxic air pollution and many more suffer from poor health because of it. Ministers failing to get a grip on car dominance means failing to protect these people.

“Transport has been Scotland’s biggest source of emissions for years but ministers have been unwilling to make public transport cheaper and easier to use than cars. They should address how the costs of driving are kept artificially low while bus and train fares rise above inflation every year.”