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Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

The Bill changes the system of targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

This is a Government bill

The Bill became an Act on 22 November 2024

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

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.

Why the Bill was created

The Bill has been introduced following the advice given to the Scottish Government by the Climate Change Committee.

Accompanying Documents

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

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

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

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.

Research briefing on the Climate Change (Emission Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Bill

The Bill was introduced on 5 September 2024

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.

Timetable

On 2 October 2024, Parliament agreed motion S6M-14742 setting out an expedited timetable for the Bill at Stages 2 and 3, subject to Parliament agreeing to the general principles of the Bill.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.

Call for views (closed)

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

Meetings

Correspondence: lead committee

Response to Stage 1 report on Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, 9 October 2024

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum

Letter from Finance and Public Administration Committee, 30 September 2024

Development of climate change plan

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, 26 September 2024

Climate Change (Emissons Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill: Scottish Government view on protected subject-matter

Letter from Minister for Parliamentary Business, 24 September 2024

Follow up to 17 September evidence session on Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, 20 September 2024

See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence for this committee

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings

Report

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee published its report on 12 September 2024.

Read the report

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee Correspondence

Scottish Government response on the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy to the Convener, 12 September 2024


Finance and Public Administration Committee

Finance and Public Administration Committee Correspondence

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum - Letter of 1 October 2024

Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee of 1 October 2024


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 10 October 2024 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: Gillian Martin
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 October 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-14836
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 10 October 2024

Result 94 for, 0 against, 7 abstained, 28 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 10 October 2024

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. 

Timetable for Stage 2

On 2 October 2024, Parliament agreed motion S6M-14742, setting out an expedited timetable for this Bill. This included agreeing that consideration of the Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 29 October 2024.

Meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments considered and debated at the meeting held on 29 October 2024.

The front page of the Groupings document was updated with additional procedural information on 25 October 2024.

Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (478KB, pdf) posted 24 October 2024

Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (506KB, pdf) posted 25 October 2024

Stage 2 Correspondence

Response to Cabinet Secretary's letter regarding amendments 28, 29 and 30 to the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill

Letter from Climate Change Committee to Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy (copied to Committee for information), 05 November 2024

Amendments 28, 29 and 30 to the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy to Climate Change Committee (copied to Committee for information), 02 November 2024

Follow up to funding of the Climate Change Committee and Net Zero Assessment queries raised during stage 2 of the of the Climate Change

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, 31 October 2024

Suggested amendments to Emissions Reduction Targets Bill

Letter from Climate Change Committee, 31 October 2024

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 29 October 2024

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 and debated at the meeting on 5 November 2024.

Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (279KB, pdf) posted 04 November 2024

Timed Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (308KB, pdf) posted 04 November 2024

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: Gillian Martin
  • Date lodged: Friday, 01 November 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-15168
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 05 November 2024

Result 105 for, 0 against, 7 abstained, 17 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 5 November 2024

Bill becomes an Act

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

Read the Act

The Bill was passed on 5 November 2024 and became an Act on 22 November 2024.

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill