Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024
2024 asp 15
An Act of the Scottish Parliament to modify the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 in relation to the targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and for connected purposes.
The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 5th November 2024 and received Royal Assent on 22nd November 2024
Part 1

Emissions reduction targets
Chapter 1

Modification of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

Scottish carbon budgets

Scottish carbon budgets
1
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
After section A1 insert—

Scottish carbon budgets

Scottish carbon budgets and associated concepts
A2
1
A Scottish carbon budget is the number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent prescribed for a given period.
2
The Scottish carbon budget for a period is exceeded if the net Scottish emissions account for the period exceeds the number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent prescribed for the period.
3
Not exceeding a Scottish carbon budget is referred to in this Act as a “Scottish carbon budget target”.
4
Where this Act refers to an emissions reduction target for a year, the reference is to be construed in the context of a Scottish carbon budget target as follows—
a
the year in question is the final year of the period covered by the Scottish carbon budget giving rise to the target, and
b
the target for the year is met if that budget has not been exceeded.
5
In this section, “prescribed” means prescribed by virtue of regulations under section A4.

Duty of Scottish Ministers in relation to budgets
A3
The Scottish Ministers must ensure that each Scottish carbon budget target is met.

Budget-setting regulations
A4
1
The Scottish Ministers must, by regulations, set Scottish carbon budgets so that every year between 2026 and the net-zero emissions target year is covered by a budget.
2
A budget for a period—
a
may be set by expressing the prescribed number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the period either as a figure or as a method for calculating a figure, and
b
may, in particular, be set by expressing the number as a proportion of the baseline multiplied by the number of years comprising the period.
3
The period covered by a Scottish carbon budget—
a
is to be 5 years (for example 2026 to 2030), but
b
may be shorter in the case of the budget for the period that ends with the net-zero emissions target year.
4
In preparing a draft of regulations to be made under this section, the Scottish Ministers must—
a
have regard to the target-setting criteria, and
b
take into account the most up-to-date advice they have received from the relevant body.
5
On the same day as laying before the Scottish Parliament for approval a draft of regulations under this section, the Scottish Ministers must publish a statement setting out in respect of each Scottish carbon budget that would be set by the regulations—
a
the extent to which the proposed budget takes account of the target-setting criteria, and
b
whether the proposed budget is in accordance with the most up-to-date advice the Ministers have received from the relevant body and, if it is not, the reasons why.
6
A statement under subsection (5) must also set out, in indicative terms, the proposals and policies in relation to each of the sectors mentioned in section 35(3) which are likely (if the regulations are approved) to be set out in the next climate change plan due to be laid before the Scottish Parliament under section 35(1).
7
A statement under subsection (5) must also state whether the Scottish Ministers expect that, during the period covered by a Scottish carbon budget that would be set by the regulations, the net Scottish emissions account for a year will, for the first time since this section came into force, be—
a
75% lower than the baseline,
b
90% lower than the baseline.

Alteration of budget periods
A5
1
The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify section A4(3) so as to alter the length of the periods to be covered by Scottish carbon budgets.
2
The power under this section may be exercised only if it appears to the Scottish Ministers necessary to do so in order to keep the periods covered by Scottish carbon budgets in line with similar periods under any international agreement to which the United Kingdom is a party.
3
Before laying before the Scottish Parliament for approval a draft of regulations under this section, the Scottish Ministers must consult the relevant body.
.
3
In section 97(1), before paragraph (a) insert—
za
regulations, other than the first regulations, under section A4;
.

Replacement of annual and interim targets with budget targets
2
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
Section 2, and the italic cross heading immediately preceding it, are repealed.
3
Section 2A is repealed.
4
In section 2C—
a
in subsection (3)—
i
for paragraph (b) substitute—
ab
whether each Scottish carbon budget for a period not yet reported on under section 33 is appropriate by reference to the target-setting criteria (and if not, advice as to any alternative budget for the period that would be appropriate),
,
ii
in paragraph (d), for “interim” substitute “Scottish carbon budget”,
b
in subsection (4), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—
ab
a Scottish carbon budget target arising from a Scottish carbon budget for a period that falls wholly within the period of 15 years beginning with the year immediately following the year in which the request is made under subsection (1), and
.
5
In section 2E—
a
after subsection (3) insert—
3A
Subsection (3B) applies if the relevant body’s advice states that the Scottish carbon budget for a period not yet reported on under section 33 is not appropriate and that a different Scottish carbon budget for the period would be appropriate.
3B
The Scottish Ministers must—
a
within 3 months of receiving that advice publish a statement setting out how they intend to respond to that advice, and
b
if they do not, within 12 months of receiving that advice, lay for approval a draft of regulations under section A4 to make the advised change to the Scottish carbon budget for the period, make a statement to the Scottish Parliament setting out the reasons for not doing so.
,
b
subsections (4) and (5) are repealed.
6
Section 3, and the italic cross heading immediately preceding it, are repealed.
7
Section 3A is repealed.
8
Section 3B is repealed.
9
In section 3C—
a
in subsection (1), for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute—
ab
the Scottish carbon budgets,
,
b
for subsection (3) substitute—
3
The Scottish Ministers must lay a copy of the list before the Scottish Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after any change is made to it.
.
10
In section 9(2)(d), for “that year” substitute “the period of the Scottish carbon budget for the period ending with the target year”.
11
In section 13A—
a
in subsection (1), for “year” substitute “given period”,
b
in subsection (2)—
i
for “target year” substitute “period”,
ii
for “that year” substitute “that period”,
c
after subsection (2) insert—
2A
The planned reduction in the net Scottish emissions account for a period covered by a Scottish carbon budget is the difference between the following amounts, both being determined immediately before the regulations under subsection (1) are made—
a
the Scottish carbon budget for the period, and
b
the Scottish carbon budget for the immediately preceding period.
2B
In order for the planned reduction in the net Scottish emissions account to be calculated for the first period to be covered by a Scottish carbon budget, the Scottish Ministers are by regulations to prescribe a notional Scottish carbon budget for the 5 years immediately preceding the first period to be covered by a Scottish carbon budget.
2C
Subsections (4) and (5) of section A4 apply in relation to regulations under subsection (2B) of this section as they do in relation to regulations under that section.
,
d
in subsection (3)—
i
in the opening words, for “a target year” substitute “a year that does not fall within a period covered by a Scottish carbon budget”,
ii
in paragraph (a), the word “target”, where it appears immediately before “year”, is repealed,
e
after subsection (3) insert—
3A
In subsection (3), “emissions reduction target”, in relation to a year, means the annual target under section 3 or (as the case may be) the interim target under section 2 that applied in respect of the year immediately before the section was repealed.
,
f
in subsection (4), in the opening words, for “a year” substitute “a period”.
12
In section 17(3), for “section 33” substitute “sections 33 and 34A”.
13
In section 18(2), for “section 33” substitute “sections 33 and 34A”.
14
In section 24(3)(a), for “2(1)” substitute “ A3”.
15
In section 33—
a
for subsections (1) and (2) substitute—
1
The Scottish Ministers must, following each period covered by a Scottish carbon budget, lay before the Scottish Parliament a report in relation to that period.
2
The report must state—
a
the Scottish carbon budget for the period,
b
whether the Scottish carbon budget target arising from that budget has been met,
c
the percentage by which the net Scottish emissions account for the period is lower than the baseline multiplied by the number of years comprising the period,
d
the difference between—
i
the net Scottish emissions account for the period, and
ii
the Scottish carbon budget for the period.
2A
The report relating to the period ending with the net-zero emissions target year must also state—
a
the net-zero emissions target,
b
whether that target has been met,
c
the percentage by which the net Scottish emissions account for the net-zero emissions target year is lower than the baseline,
d
the amount by which the net Scottish emissions account for the net-zero emissions target year is lower or higher than the net-zero emissions target.
,
b
in subsection (3), for “subsection (2)” substitute “subsections (2) and (2A)”.
16
In section 34—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
in each of the following provisions, for “the year” substitute “each year”—
A
paragraph (a)(ii), (iii) and (iv),
B
paragraph (b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv),
C
paragraph (c)(i) and (ii),
ii
in paragraph (c)(iii)—
A
before “year” insert “final”,
B
the word “target” is repealed,
iii
in paragraph (d), for “target year preceding the” substitute “year between 2010 and the final”,
iv
in paragraph (e), before “year” insert “final”,
b
in subsection (3), for “an earlier target year” substitute “a year covered by a previous report under section 33 or 34A”.
17
After section 34 insert—

Annual report on emissions reduction
34A
1
The Scottish Ministers must following each year lay before the Scottish Parliament a report in relation to that year.
2
But subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a year if—
a
it is the final year of a period covered by a Scottish carbon budget,
b
it has been reported on under section 33, or
c
it is a year that is—
i
earlier than the first year to be reported on under section 33, or
ii
later than the net-zero emissions target year.
3
The report must be laid before the Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after the information to be contained in the report becomes available.
4
The report—
a
must state—
i
the percentage by which the net Scottish emissions account for the year is lower than the baseline, and
ii
the information mentioned in section 34(1), read subject to the modification that references to each year, and the final year, covered by the report are to be read as references to the year covered by the report, and
b
may contain such other information as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.
5
The Scottish Ministers must use current international carbon reporting practice for the purposes of assessing and reporting on the matters mentioned in subsection (4).
6
If the methods used to determine net Scottish emissions of greenhouse gases change and that change is such as to require adjustment of an amount for a year covered by a report under section 33 or a previous report under this section, the report must—
a
specify the adjustment required and state the adjusted amount, and
b
explain why the adjustment is required.
7
An adjustment under subsection (6) must, in so far as practicable, be made in accordance with current international carbon reporting practice.
.
18
In section 35(4)(b), for the words from “the same year” to “emissions” substitute “a”.
19
The title of section 36 becomes “Reports on proposals and policies where emissions reduction targets not met”.
20
In section 42—
a
for subsection (1A) substitute—
1A
If—
a
the year covered by the report is a target year, and
b
the emissions reduction target for that year has not been met,
the statement under subsection (1)(b) must explain why.
,
b
in subsection (2), after paragraph (a) insert—
ab
section 34A(1) (annual report on emissions reduction);
,
c
in subsection (3), after “33” insert “or 34A”.
21
In section 57(3)(a), for “1, 2(1) or 3(1)(b)” substitute “A1 or A3”.
22
In section 96(7)(aa), for “year” substitute “period”.
23
In section 97(1)(b), for “year” substitute “period”.
24
In section 98—
a
the definition of “annual target” is repealed,
b
in the definition of “emissions reduction target”, for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—
1. a Scottish carbon budget target (and references to meeting such a target are to be construed in accordance with section A2(4)), or
,
c
the definition of “interim target” is repealed,
d
after the definition of “renewable sources” insert—
- “Scottish carbon budget” has the meaning given by section A2(1),
- “Scottish carbon budget target” has the meaning given by section A2(3),
,
e
for the definition of “target year” substitute—
- “target year” means—
  1. the final year of a period for which a Scottish carbon budget is set,
  2. the net-zero emissions target year,
.

Climate change plan

Next plan to follow setting of budgets
3
1
The Scottish Ministers must lay a draft climate change plan before the Scottish Parliament before the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day that the first regulations setting a Scottish carbon budget under section A4 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 come into force.
2
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
3
In section 35(1), for paragraph (a) substitute—
a
in the case of the first plan, before the end of the period of 90 days, of which no fewer than 45 must be days on which the Parliament is not dissolved or in recess, beginning with the day on which the period described by section 35A(1)(a) ends following the laying of a draft plan in accordance with section 3(1) of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024,
.

Content of plan: budget-period breakdown of costs and benefits
4
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 35(21), after “plan” the second time it occurs insert “, broken down by reference to the period covered by a Scottish carbon budget in which those costs and benefits are expected to arise”.

Content of plan: contribution of policies to meeting targets
5
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 35(5)—
a
the words “the Scottish Ministers’ proposals and policies regarding” are repealed,
b
after “contributions” insert “(in measurable terms)”,
c
the words “each of the sectors mentioned in subsection (3)” become paragraph (a),
d
after that paragraph insert
, and
b
each group of associated policies set out in the plan.
.

Preparation of plan: public consultation
6
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
After section 35, insert—

Preparation of climate change plan: public consultation
35ZA
1
The Scottish Ministers must carry out a public consultation to inform the proposals and policies to be set out in a climate change plan laid under section 35(1)(b).
2
Before carrying out a consultation under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must lay a statement before the Parliament setting out—
a
the methodologies the Scottish Ministers plan to use to consult, which may include digital, postal or in-person events,
b
the steps the Scottish Ministers are planning to take to ensure persons likely to be interested in the subject matter of the consultation are aware of the consultation,
c
the period of time for which the Scottish Ministers plan to consult, which must be a period no less than 6 months,
d
such other information as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.
.

Preparation of plan: further consultation
7
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is amended as follows.
2
In section 35A(1)—
a
the “and” following paragraph (a) is repealed,
b
after paragraph (a) insert—
aa
request the views of such persons as they consider appropriate with—
i
knowledge of international law or policy relating to climate change,
ii
scientific knowledge about climate change,
iii
technical knowledge of climate change, and
,
c
in paragraph (b), after sub-paragraph (ii), insert—
iia
any views on the draft plan set out by a person whose views were requested in accordance with paragraph (aa),
.

Requirement to respond to parliamentary reports and resolutions on draft plan
8
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 35A, after subsection (1) insert—
1A
The Scottish Ministers must publish a response to any—
a
resolution of a kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (iii) of subsection (1)(b), or
b
report of a kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (iv) of that provision,
within 3 months of the resolution being passed or (as the case may be) the report being published.
1B
The duty under subsection (1A) may be fulfilled by laying a statement before the Parliament in accordance with subsection (2) that addresses the resolution or report in question.
.

Reporting and assessments

Report on proposals and policies where targets at risk of not being met
9
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 35B, after subsection (2) insert—
2A
If, when preparing a report under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers’ assessment of progress is such that they consider that it is more likely than not that an emissions reduction target will not be met, the report must also explain—
a
why they consider that to be the case, and
b
what they intend to do to ensure the target is met, including details of any changes to policies that will be implemented during the period covered by a Scottish carbon budget in which the report is laid.
.

Deadline for report on proposals and policies where targets not met
10
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 36(2), for the words from “As soon” to “laid” substitute “Within the period of 6 months beginning with the day that the report referred to in subsection (1) is laid before the Parliament”.

Annual progress reports on climate change plan: further procedure
11
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 42(2), after paragraph (ab) (which is inserted by section 2 of this Act) insert—
aa
section 35B (climate change plan: annual progress reports);
.

Assessing the impact of major capital projects on meeting targets
12
1
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.
2
In section 33, before subsection (2A) (inserted by section 2(15)(a) of this Act) insert—
2ZA
The report must also set out details of any assessments, carried out during the period to which the report relates, in accordance with the proposals and policies set out in a climate change plan for assessing the impact of major capital projects on meeting Scottish carbon budget targets.
.
3
In section 35, after subsection (20) insert—
20A
The plan must also set out the Scottish Ministers’ proposals and policies for assessing the impact of major capital projects (as defined in the plan) on meeting Scottish carbon budget targets.
.
Chapter 2

Setting Scottish carbon budgets

Setting Scottish carbon budgets

Further provision about setting first budgets
13
1
The first regulations under section A4 of the 2009 Act setting Scottish carbon budgets are to do so by—
a
inserting a new section into the 2009 Act, and
b
replacing the words “by virtue of regulations under section A4” in section A2(5) of the 2009 Act with a cross reference to the new section.
2
The Scottish Ministers may not conclude their preparation of the first draft regulations under section A4 of the 2009 Act to be laid before the Scottish Parliament for approval, until they have received advice from the relevant body on setting Scottish carbon budgets following a request for that advice under section 2C or 2D of the 2009 Act.
3
The Scottish Ministers must lay draft regulations under section A4 of the 2009 Act before the Scottish Parliament for approval within the period of 3 months beginning with their receiving the advice that subsection (2) requires them to have received before they conclude their preparation of the first draft regulations.
4
If the Scottish Ministers request advice under section 2C of the 2009 Act before the first regulations under section A4 of that Act have come into force, section 2C is to be read in relation to that request as though—
a
a reference to a Scottish carbon budget were a reference to the Scottish carbon budget that the relevant body has advised, or intends to advise, the Scottish Ministers to set, and
b
a reference to a Scottish carbon budget target were a reference to the Scottish carbon budget target that would arise from a Scottish carbon budget that the relevant body has advised, or intends to advise, the Scottish Ministers to set.
5
In this section—
- “2009 Act” means the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009,
- “relevant body” has the meaning given in the 2009 Act.
Part 2

Final provisions

Ancillary provision
14
1
The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make any incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision they consider appropriate for the purposes of, or in connection with, or for giving full effect to this Act or any provision made under it.
2
Regulations under this section may—
a
modify any enactment (including this Act), and
b
make different provision for different purposes.
3
Regulations under this section—
a
are subject to the affirmative procedure if they add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act, but
b
otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

Commencement
15
This Act comes into force on the day after Royal Assent.

Short title
16
The short title of this Act is the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024.