Climate Change - Subject Profile

Author: Alasdair Reid & Damon Davies

PDF Published: Friday 25 Jun 2021 (SB 21-37)

Expand
Overview
Report

Hide

Hide

Overview
Report
- Executive Summary
- Introduction - the time is now
- Global Science and Policy
  - Effects of Climate Change
  - Global Response
    
    Paris Agreement
    
    Warming to 1.5°C
    
    Room for Optimism, not Complacency
    
    COP 26
    
    Brexit - post EU
  - United Kingdom
  - Scotland
    
    Impacts in Scotland
    
    Legislative and Policy Framework
    
    Climate Change Acts
    
    Annual Targets
    
    Achieving Targets - Climate Change Plan
    
    Reporting on Progress
    
    Adaptation
    
    Climate Change Committee - Assessment of Climate Risk
    
    Scotland's Emissions Reductions to Date
    
    Mainstreaming Climate Change Governance
    
    Sustainable Development Impact Assessment Tool
  - Green Recovery from Covid - 19
    
    Just Transition
    
    Infrastructure Commission for Scotland
    
    Scottish National Investment Bank
    
    Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
  - Recent Climate Change Scrutiny
  - Cover image
Sources

Visual representation of the change in temperature as measured over the past 100+ years. Each stripe represents the temperature in that country averaged over a year.

Image: Figure 1: 'Warming Stripes' for Scotland

If all international climate pledges are successful, it might be possible to limit the rise in world temperatures to 2.0°C by the end of this century.

Image: Figure 2: Climate Action Tracker Warming Projections

From 1990 - 2019, there was a 51.5% reduction in emissions.

Image: Figure 6: Emissions Reductions 1990 - 2019

Emissions in the Electricity and Industrial sectors have fallen significantly, with the Buildings, Transport and Agriculture sectors lagging.

Image: Figure 7: Sectoral Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, 1990 and 2019

Emissions are expected to more than half between 2020 and 2032, dropping from 41.6 MtCO2e to 18.3MtCO2e.

Image: Figure 3: Total expected emissions reductions 2020-2032

There is currently insufficient information to assess progress against the majority of policy outcome indicators with "too early to say" at 31, "on track" at 10, and "off track" at 2.

Image: Figure 4: Progress against policy outcome indicators

Scottish Government climate change adaptation programme outcomes linked to the National Performance Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals

Image: Figure 5: Scottish Government climate change adaptation programme outcomes linked to the National Performance Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Climate Change Committee. (2019). Net Zero – The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/net-zero-the-uks-contribution-to-stopping-global-warming/ [accessed 6 January 2021]

UN News. (2018). Climate change: An 'existential threat' to humanity, UN chief warns global summit. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/05/1009782 [accessed 18 May 2021]

BBC News. (2021). Scottish election 2021: Is this Scotland’s climate election?. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-56848288 [accessed 18 May 2021]

IPSOS Mori. (2020). Two thirds of citizens around the world agree climate change is as serious a crisis as Coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.ipsos.com/en/two-thirds-citizens-around-world-agree-climate-change-serious-crisis-coronavirus [accessed 18 May 2021]

House of Commons Library. (2020). The rise of climate change activism?. Retrieved from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rise-of-climate-change-activism/ [accessed 18 May 2021]

BBC News. (2021). Extinction Rebellion: Jury acquits protesters despite judge's direction. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56853979 [accessed 18 May 2021]

Dixon, R. (2021). Climate Change: How activists from Scotland are taking legal action to stop UK Government paying oil companies to make global warming worse. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/climate-change-how-activists-from-scotland-are-taking-legal-action-to-stop-uk-government-paying-oil-companies-to-make-global-warming-worse-dr-richard-dixon-3242281 [accessed 20 May 2021]

ENDS Report. (2021). Ignoring oil and gas subsidies is ‘unlawful and irrational’. Retrieved from https://www.endsreport.com/article/1715707/ignoring-oil-gas-subsidies-unlawful-irrational [accessed 20 May 2021]

BBC News. (2021). Shell: Netherlands court orders oil giant to cut emissions. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57257982 [accessed 24 June 2021]

Scotland’s Climate Assembly. (2021). Full Report. Retrieved from https://www.climateassembly.scot/full-report [accessed 23 June 2021]

IPCC. (2014). Synthesis Report of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ [accessed 2 December 2020]

The Guardian. (2021, January 8). Climate crisis: 2020 was joint hottest year ever recorded . Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/08/climate-crisis-experts-2020-joint-hottest-year-ever-recorded [accessed 8 January 2021]

Show Your Stripes. (2021). Show Your Stripes. Retrieved from https://showyourstripes.info/ [accessed 24 May 2021]

IPCC. (2019). : Summary for Policymakers. In: IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/summary-for-policymakers/ [accessed 6 January 2021]

Met Office. (2020). What is Climate Change?. Retrieved from https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/what-is-climate-change [accessed 2 December 2020]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2020, November). Scientific Consensus: Earth's Climate is Warming. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/ [accessed 1 December 2020]

UNFCCC. (2019). Past conferences overview. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/conferences/past-conferences/past-conferences-overview#eq-23 [accessed 12 December 2020]

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data#Trends [accessed 12 December 2020]

World Politics Review. (2020, October). The Uneven Global Response to Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/insights/27929/the-uneven-global-response-to-climate-change [accessed 12 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2015, December). COP21 deal welcomed. Retrieved from https://news.gov.scot/news/cop21-deal-welcomed [accessed 2 December 2020]

UNFCCC. (2015). Bonn Climate Change Conference. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/conferences/past-conferences/bonn-climate-change-conference-october-2015/bonn-climate-change-conference-october-2015 [accessed 3 December 2020]

IPCC. (2018, October). Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 ºC. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ [accessed 2 December 2020]

BBC News. (2018, October). Five things we have learned from the IPCC report. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45784892 [accessed 3 December 2020]

International Energy Agency. (2021). Net Zero by 2050 A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector . Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050 [accessed 20 May 2021]

Climate Action Tracker. (2021). Global Update: Climate Summit Momentum. Retrieved from https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/global-update-climate-summit-momentum/ [accessed 20 May 2021]

BBC News. (2020, December). Climate change: Temperature analysis shows UN goals 'within reach'. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55073169 [accessed 21 December 2020]

UN Environment Programme. (2020, December). Emissions Gap Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.unenvironment.org/emissions-gap-report-2020 [accessed 12 December 2020]

BBC Newsnight. (2020, December 3). Newsnight. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000pz4v/newsnight-04122020 [accessed 12 December 2020]

Carbon Brief. (2019, December). COP25: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Madrid. Retrieved from https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop25-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-madrid [accessed 22 December 2020]

Carbon Brief. (n.d.) ‘We must use this time well’: climate experts hopeful after COP26 delay. Retrieved from https://www.carbonbrief.org/daily-brief/we-must-use-this-time-well-climate-experts-hopeful-after-cop26-delay [accessed 22 December 2020]

New Scientist. (2019, December). COP25 climate summit ends in 'staggering failure of leadership' Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2227541-cop25-climate-summit-ends-in-staggering-failure-of-leadership/#ixzz6hNIHE2ip. Retrieved from https://www.newscientist.com/article/2227541-cop25-climate-summit-ends-in-staggering-failure-of-leadership/ [accessed 22 December 2020]

UK Government. (2020). The UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-nationally-determined-contribution-communication-to-the-unfccc [accessed 7 January 2021]

Scottish Government. (2020). Contributing to the Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/news/contributing-to-the-paris-agreement/ [accessed 7 January 2021]

Environment Analyst UK. (2020, April). COP26 delayed but advantages evident. Retrieved from https://environment-analyst.com/register?o=105142&productID=8&layout=main [accessed 16 December 2020]

European Commission. (2021). The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/relations-united-kingdom/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en [accessed 20 May 2021]

UK Government. (2020, December). The UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-nationally-determined-contribution-communication-to-the-unfccc [accessed 7 May 2020]

UK Government. (2021, April). UK enshrines new target in law to slash emissions by 78% by 2035. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-enshrines-new-target-in-law-to-slash-emissions-by-78-by-2035 [accessed 7 May 2021]

Climate Change Committee. (2020, June). Reducing UK emissions: 2020 Progress Report to Parliament. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/reducing-uk-emissions-2020-progress-report-to-parliament/ [accessed 7 May 2021]

House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. (2021). Achieving Net Zero: Forty-Sixth Report of Session 2019–21. Retrieved from https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/4921/documents/49419/default/ [accessed 7 May 2021]

Adapotation Scotland. (2020). The Past: Climate Trends. Retrieved from https://www.adaptationscotland.org.uk/why-adapt/climate-trends-and-projections/past-climate-trends-scotland [accessed 15 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2018). Climate Change Plan: third report on proposals and policies 2018-2032 (RPP3) - summary. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-governments-climate-change-plan-third-report-proposals-policies-2018-9781788516488/ [accessed 4 May 2021]

Scottish Government. (2021). Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/policies/climate-change/reducing-emissions/ [accessed 24 June 2021]

Scottish Government. (2020, June). Greenhouse gas emissions 2018: estimates. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2018/ [accessed 8 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2020, December). Climate Change Plan Update. [accessed 6 December 2020]

Climate Change Committee. (2020, December). Advice to the Scottish Government on the Interim 2030 Target. Retrieved from INSERT [accessed 9 December 2020]

Scottish Parliament Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. (2020, February 25). Official Report. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12544 [accessed 30 November 2020]

Reid, A. (2021). Update to the Climate Change Plan - Background Information and Key Issues. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2021/1/12/afbd2373-a14f-4a78-af9c-4fc5c775b23d# [accessed 4 May 2021]

Scottish Government. (2021). Climate Change Plan: monitoring reports - 2021 compendium. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/climate-change-plan-monitoring-reports-2021-compendium/ [accessed 4 May 2021]

Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. (2019, November). Official Report. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12346 [accessed 16 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2019, September). Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/climate-ready-scotland-second-scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-2019-2024/pages/6/ [accessed 16 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2021). Climate change - adaptation programme: progress report 2021. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-progress-report-2021/ [accessed 7 June 2021]

Climate Change Committee. (2019). Final assessment of Scotland’s first Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/final-assessment-of-scotlands-first-climate-change-adaptation-programme/ [accessed 23 June 2021]

Climate Change Committee. (2021). Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/independent-assessment-of-uk-climate-risk/ [accessed 23 June 2021]

Scottish Government. (2020). Greenhouse gas emissions 2018: estimates. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2018/ [accessed 23 June 2021]

Scottish Government. (2019). Scottish greenhouse gas emissions 2017. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2017/ [accessed 23 June 2021]

Scottish Parliament Conveners' Group. (2021). Session 5 - Legacy Report. Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/Committeeconvenersgroup/CG_2021.03.24_Convener_Group_Legacy_Report_Session_5.pdf [accessed 7 June 2021]

New Scientist. (2020). Our approach to covid-19 can also help tackle climate change . Retrieved from https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24532763-500-our-approach-to-covid-19-can-also-help-tackle-climate-change/ [accessed 17 December 2020]

Evensen, D., de Mendonca, M., & Waites, H. (2020, December). Expert Views on Green Recovery from Covid-19, and Alignment With Scottish Government Plans. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2020/12/15/a618e860-29a0-11eb-b2bc-000d3a23af40#a6f1e232-29a0-11eb-b2be-000d3a23af40.dita [accessed 16 December 2020]

Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. (2020, November). Green Recovery Inquiry Report. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/115470.aspx [accessed 6 December 2020]

Just Transition Commission. (2021). A National Mission for a fairer, greener Scotland. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/transition-commission-national-mission-fairer-greener-scotland/ [accessed 9 June 2021]

Scottish Government. (2020, December). Net Zero Nation: draft public engagement strategy - consultation. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/net-zero-nation-draft-public-engagement-strategy-climate-change/ [accessed 22 December 2020]

Infrastructure Commission for Scotland. (2020). Delivery Findings Report. Retrieved from https://infrastructurecommission.scot/page/delivery-findings-report [accessed 22 December 2020]

Scottish Parliament Information Centre. (2020, September). Nearing ‘go’ on the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB). Retrieved from https://spice-spotlight.scot/2020/09/03/nearing-go-on-the-scottish-national-investment-bank-snib/ [accessed 22 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2020, December). Scottish National Investment Bank: missions letter. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-national-investment-bank-missions-letter/ [accessed 22 December 2020]

Scottish Government. (2020, June). Towards a Robust, Resilient Wellbeing Economy for Scotland: Report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/towards-robust-resilient-wellbeing-economy-scotland-report-advisory-group-economic-recovery/pages/6/ [accessed 22 December 2020]

Scottish Parliament Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. (2021, March). ECCLR Committee response to the draft updated climate change plan (CCPu). Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/S5_Environment/Reports/ECCLR_2021.03.04_OUT_CS_CCPu_Report.pdf [accessed 7 May 2021]

Scottish Parliament . (2021). Official Report - Climate Change Plan. Retrieved from http://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=13184&i=119369 [accessed 7 May 2021]

Scottish Parliament Official Report. (2021). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2019. Retrieved from http://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=13237&i=119972 [accessed 24 2021]

Last Updated: 3/1 2:30am