If re-elected, the next SNP government would set a target to cut car use by 20% by 2030, its leader Nicola Sturgeon says in a election pledge.
It comes as Scotland prepares to host the postponed UN 2020 Climate Summit, Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit in Glasgow on 1-12 November 2021 (Monday-Friday).
The range of policies “designed to propel Scotland toward becoming a net zero society”, include a key pledge to reduce the use of cars, measured as ‘car kilometres’, by 20% by 2030.
There would also be £500m to improve bus infrastructure and tackle congestion, £120m for Zero Emission Buses, and work to decarbonise railways by 2035. In 2022 ScotRail is to move to Scottish Government ownership after the existing franchise ends.
Visiting Scottish Power’s Whitelee Windfarm in East Renfrewshire, Ms Sturgeon said: “If re-elected, a SNP government will ramp up our efforts to become a net zero nation by 2045 – with significant and wide-ranging investments which will not only reduce our emissions, but will significantly improve our quality of life.
“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland later this year as Glasgow hosts the COP26 summit, so we must seize the moment and show leadership in helping bring about real global change.
“In government, the SNP has invested enormously in unlocking Scotland’s renewable energy potential – and last year more than 97% of our electricity demand was met from renewable sources.
“By 2030 we aim to generate 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources, and by 2050 we aim to have decarbonised our energy system almost completely.”
Other key pledges include decarbonising heating of a million homes by 2030, developing Scotland’s hydrogen sector and increase new woodland creation targets by 50%.
