TARGETS AND ACTIONS ON TRANSPORT DECARBONISATION

The Scottish Government has some of the world’s most ambitious climate change targets: legislation was recently passed, committing Scotland to be net-zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Transport is Scotland’s largest greenhouse gas emitting sector, so it will be essential to decarbonise transport, in order to achieve this challenging target.

BEST PRACTICES
  • Our National Transport Strategy for 2020-2040 places tackling climate change at the heart of our transport system.
  • Our Programme for Government 2019 set out a range of transport decarbonisation measures, including phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel vans and cars by 2032, decarbonising public sector fleets by 2030, doubling the annual budget for active travel, and decarbonising internal scheduled flights by 2040.
  • We have worked as part of the Michelin Scotland Alliance to support the launch of the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, specialising in low carbon mobility innovation.
  • We have established an Industry Advisory Group to provide a platform for key industry figures to share their requirements for enabling transport decarbonisation.
  • The comprehensive ChargePlace Scotland electric vehicle charging network across Scotland, now includes over 1,200 charge points, meaning that there is one charger for every 10 registered ULEVs in Scotland, and one rapid charger for every 50 ULEVs registered in Scotland.
  • We are establishing the UKs first electric trunk road: the Electric A9.
  • The Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund supports intensive, high impact capital activity in order to incentivise, encourage and promote the use of plug-in EVs.
  • The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 contains key measures in respect of climate action, cleaner air and the promotion of sustainable transport.
  • We have provided over £45 million of funding to encourage individuals and businesses to buy and recharge EVs through our Low Carbon Transport Loan.
  • Through our Switched on Fleets Programme, we have introduced over 1,250 Ultra Low Emission Vehicles into the public sector fleet, so far.
  • We are supporting the deployment of Hydrogen buses in Aberdeen and Dundee through the JIVE2 Project.
  • We have established a new Strategic Partnership between Scottish Government, including Transport Scotland, SP Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
  • We have established Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone, and are committed to introducing three more LEZs by the end of 2020, to support our aim of having the best air quality in Europe.
  • Our Active Travel Framework sets out our policies for prioritising zero emission travel options of walking, cycling and wheeling.  This is supported by our appointment of an Active Nation Commissioner.

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