Synopsis
These regulations amended the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Updated binding emissions reduction targets are applied for the 2026-2030, 2031-2035, 2036-2040 and 2041-2045 periods through revised Scottish carbon budgets.
Summary
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025 amended the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 on 10 October 2025.
This legislation will apply in Scotland only.
What will change?
The draft regulations would establish Scotland’s carbon budgets for the periods 2026 to 2030, 2031 to 2035, 2036 to 2040 and 2041 to 2045.
The carbon budgets impose a legally binding limit on the total amount of greenhouse gases that may be emitted in Scotland over each five-year period. Emissions must be reduced from the baseline level as indicated in the following table. The baseline for CO2, methane and nitrous oxide is 1990, while for other gases it is 1995.
|
Scottish carbon budget period |
Scottish carbon budget (average % of Baseline) |
|
2026 to 2030 |
43 |
|
2031 to 2035 |
31 |
|
2036 to 2040 |
20 |
|
2041 to 2045 |
6 |
The budgets set reflect a 2024 announcement that the previous 2030 target was not achievable, while maintaining alignment with the 2045 net-zero commitment under the Act.
Background
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 established a net-zero target for greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland by 2045. The Act also established an advisory body on climate change, requires the production of regular reports on progress towards targets and places a duty on public bodies to contribute to meeting these targets.
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