Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019

The target-setting criteria

5 The target-setting criteria

After section 2A of the 2009 Act (inserted by section 4 of this Act), insert—

“The target-setting criteria

2B The target-setting criteria

(1) In this Act, the “target-setting criteria” are—

(a) the objective of not exceeding the fair and safe Scottish emissions budget,

(b) European and international law and policy relating to climate change (including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and protocols to that Convention),

(c) scientific knowledge about climate change,

(d) technology relevant to climate change,

(e) economic circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on—

(i) the Scottish economy,

(ii) the competitiveness of particular sectors of the Scottish economy,

(iii) small and medium-sized enterprises,

(iv) jobs and employment opportunities,

(f) fiscal circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on taxation, public spending and public borrowing,

(g) social circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on those living in poorer or deprived communities,

(h) the likely impact of the target on public health,

(i) the likely impact of the target on those living in remote rural communities and island communities,

(j) energy policy, in particular the likely impact of the target on energy supplies, the renewable energy sector and the carbon and energy intensity of the Scottish economy,

(k) environmental considerations and, in particular, the likely impact of the target on biodiversity,

(l) the likely impact of the target on the achievement of sustainable development, including the achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals,

(m) current international carbon reporting practice.

(2) In this Act, the “fair and safe Scottish emissions budget” is the aggregate amount of net Scottish emissions of greenhouse gases for the period 2010 to 2050 as recommended by the relevant body as being consistent with Scotland, in line with the principles set out in article 3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, contributing appropriately to the holding of the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (1) and (2) so as to add, remove or vary the description of a target-setting criterion.”.”.