Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024

Climate change plan S

3 Next plan to follow setting of budgets S

(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,”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 3 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15

4 Content of plan: budget-period breakdown of costs and benefits S

(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”.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 4 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15

5 Content of plan: contribution of policies to meeting targets S

(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(a) the words “the Scottish Ministers’ proposals and policies regarding” are repealed,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.”.

Commencement Information

I3 S. 5 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15

6 Preparation of plan: public consultation S

(1) The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.

(2) After section 35, insert—

“35ZA Preparation of climate change plan: public consultation

(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.”.

Commencement Information

I4 S. 6 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15

7 Preparation of plan: further consultation S

(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),”.

Commencement Information

I5 S. 7 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15

8 Requirement to respond to parliamentary reports and resolutions on draft plan S

(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.”.

Commencement Information

I6 S. 8 in force at 23.11.2024, see s. 15