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Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

This Bill will make changes to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

This is a Government bill

The Bill became an Act on 31 October 2019

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

This Bill will make changes to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

It changes the target for reducing all "greenhouse gas emissions" to 100% by 2045. The target is currently 80%.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the earth's atmosphere and cause climate change. Reducing these gases will limit the problems that come with climate change.

The proposed law explains how:

  • annual targets will be set
  • a target of 100% reduction in emissions will be set in the future
  • progress towards meeting targets will be monitored and reported 

Why the Bill was created

The Scottish Government wants to make the current legislation on climate change tougher.

This will help:

  • limit temperature increases and the negative impacts they have
  • make sure that businesses and industries start using low-carbon technologies
  • make sure that businesses and industries work in a way that reduces carbon emissions

Climate change is already happening. Its effects include increases in:

  • coastal floods
  • dangerous heatwaves
  • severe droughts
  • hurricanes

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (264KB, pdf) posted 09 January 2019

Policy Memorandum (258KB, pdf) posted 09 January 2019

Financial Memorandum (175KB, pdf) posted 09 January 2019

Delegated Powers Memorandum (172KB, pdf) posted 11 February 2019

Statements on legislative competence (101KB, pdf) posted 09 January 2019

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill SPICe briefing

The Bill was introduced on 23 May 2018

Stage 1: general principles

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.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.

Who spoke to the lead committee

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 2 April 2019 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.

  • Motion title: Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill.
  • Submitted by: Roseanna Cunningham
  • Date lodged: Monday, 01 April 2019
  • Motion reference: S5M-16697
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 02 April 2019

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 2 April 2019

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

Who spoke to the lead committee at Stage 2

First meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at this meeting held on 18 June 2019:

First Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (327KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2019

First Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (337KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2019

Second meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at this meeting held on 25 June 2019:

Second Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (219KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2019

Second Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (197KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2019

Revised Documents

Revised Explanatory Notes (290KB, pdf) posted 16 September 2019

Supplementary Financial Memorandum (185KB, pdf) posted 16 September 2019

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 25 June 2019

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Debate on proposed amendments

Documents with the amendments considered in the Chamber on 25 September 2019:

First Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (219KB, pdf) posted 01 October 2019

First Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (251KB, pdf) posted 01 October 2019

Supplementary Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (180KB, pdf) posted 01 October 2019

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.

  • Motion title: Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Roseanna Cunningham
  • Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2019
  • Motion reference: S5M-19025
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Result 113 for, 0 against, 6 abstained, 10 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 25 September 2019

Bill becomes an Act

If the Bill is passed, it can receive Royal Assent and become an Act.

This Bill was passed on 25 September 2019 and became an Act on 31 October 2019.

Read the Act

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019