The Bill changes the system of targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
This is a Government bill
The Bill was introduced on 5 September 2024 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out interim and annual targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Bill will replace those targets with a system of targets based on carbon budgets.
Scottish Ministers will need to set carbon budgets so that every year between 2026 and the net-zero emissions target year (2045) is covered by a budget. Each carbon budget will cover a period of 5 years and will set out the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed during that period.
Not exceeding a carbon budget is referred to in the Bill as a “carbon budget target”. Scottish Ministers will be under a duty to ensure each carbon budget target is met.
The Bill also changes the deadline for the first Climate Change Plan. This Plan must be laid before the Parliament as soon as possible after the first carbon budgets have been set.
The Bill has been introduced following the advice given to the Scottish Government by the Climate Change Committee.
Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (675KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Explanatory Notes (195KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Policy Memorandum (158KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Financial Memorandum (130KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (125KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Explanatory Notes (279KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Policy Memorandum (206KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Financial Memorandum (168KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (232KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
Statements on legislative competence (160KB, pdf) posted 04 September 2024
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Research briefing on the Climate Change (Emission Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill was introduced on 5 September 2024
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The lead committee carried out pre-legislative scrutiny and agreed to hold a call for views.
The call for views closed on 16 August 2024.
Read the responses to the call for views
Read the SPICe analysis of the call for views (310KB, pdf) posted 11 September 2024
Letter from the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, 9 September 2024
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy to the Convener, 12 September 2024
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence
A Stage 1 debate will take place on 10 October 2024, to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.