scotland
Newsletter
Credit: Journeys With Sean/Unsplash
Peatland restoration in Scotland struggles to secure funding
Despite its potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, peatland restoration in Scotland is not being fully recognized as a climate change solution, hindering private investment.
In short:
- Experts argue that the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) does not recognize peatland restoration as a valid method for offsetting emissions.
- Damaged peatlands in Scotland release over six million tonnes of CO2 annually, equating to emissions from home heating.
- Public funding alone is insufficient, and private finance is needed to meet restoration targets set by the Scottish government.
Key quote:
“We are seeing active sales falling through or companies not even wanting to look at peatland carbon credits because of SBTi.”
— Dr. Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans, peatland code manager
Why this matters:
Recognizing peatland restoration in carbon offsetting standards could unlock essential private funding, aiding in the significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change more effectively.
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Credit: Markus Spiske/Unsplash
Scotland revises its climate goal
Scotland will no longer pursue its 2030 goal of a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, although it aims to achieve net-zero by 2045.
In short:
- Scotland has missed most of its recent annual climate targets, prompting a reevaluation of its goals.
- The original target was set amid strong public and political pressure for aggressive climate action.
- Future strategies may focus on setting realistic carbon budgets rather than strict annual targets.
Key quote:
The party is " ... absolutely determined to accelerate the urgent and substantial action needed to tackle the climate crisis."
— Mark Ruskell, Scottish Greens climate spokesman
Why this matters:
Meeting global warming targets, such as keeping temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius, relies on all countries pushing for maximum feasible reductions in emissions. Any reduction in commitment by significant players like Scotland could hinder global efforts to meet these critical thresholds.
In 2019, Douglas Fischer wrote that three-quarters of the Paris Agreement pledges were inadequate to meet global climate goals – with many unlikely to be achieved at all.
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Climate change target missed in first year of SNP-Green government
The SNP-Green government has been accused of “empty rhetoric and broken promises” after greenhouse gas emissions rose in its first year and a legally binding target was missed.
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Scottish Government/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Tidal power’s fickle future
To pull power from the waves, you need a high tidal range or strong currents. Sea level rise threatens to mess with both.
Glen Wallace/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
World’s deepest offshore wind turbine installed off Scottish coast
SSE’s Seagreen project will deliver enough energy to power more than 1.6 million homes.
Photo by Levan Badzgaradze on Unsplash
Jim Skea: The climate scientist trying to ensure Scotland has a just transition
Once a marker of corporate exceptionalism, net zero is edging ever closer to becoming a private-sector norm. More than one-third of the world’s largest publicly traded companies have committed to balance their carbon output by 2050 or before.
COP26/Flickr
David Attenborough warns ‘nature is in crisis’ but ‘we have the solutions’
Broadcaster spoke as Save Our Wild Isles campaign launched in Scotland to halt destruction of nature in the UK.
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