This was followed by the Scottish Government announcing on 18 April that there would be a new legislative approach to setting emissions reduction targets.vScottish Parliament, Official Report, 18 April 2024, Col 61 In the statement, and in further public communications over the following weeks, other details were confirmed:
The 2030 target would be removed;
The current system of a net zero target, supported by key interim targets and annual targets would be replaced by a system of five year carbon budgets; and
The ultimate target of achieving net zero in emissions in Scotland by 2045 would, however, be retained.vScottish Parliament, Official Report, 18 April 2024, Col 64
The Cabinet Secretary, in her 18 April announcement, said this new legislation would be “expedited”.vScottish Parliament, Official Report, 18 April 2024, Col 61 This was to avoid running into the legal duty to produce by this November a draft climate change plan in relation to the 2030 target that the Scottish Government, in light of the CCC's report, now accepts is beyond reach.