Scotland’s ambitious goal to reduce car use by 20% by 2030, set five years ago, is now deemed “unlikely” to be met, according to a recent report from public spending watchdogs. Despite strong climate commitments, including a declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, progress toward this target has been minimal, with the Scottish government failing to create a cohesive plan to reduce car use and cut emissions.
Minimal Progress and Lack of Leadership
Audit Scotland, the body responsible for overseeing government spending, and the Accounts Commission, which monitors local government spending, reported that Scotland has made little progress in reducing car kilometres. The 2030 target requires a reduction of 7.3 billion kilometres driven, bringing total car use down to 29.3 billion kilometres—levels last seen in 1994. However, key challenges, including fragmented policies and a lack of leadership, have hindered progress.
The report highlights that the Scottish government’s approach has been ineffective due to insufficient planning and a lack of clear, measurable milestones. It also notes the absence of a costed delivery plan and proper monitoring arrangements, leaving questions about the government’s commitment to the target.
Obstacles to Achieving the Target
The challenge of reducing car use is compounded by the difficulty of implementing policies that would substantially discourage driving. These decisions would likely face resistance from the public due to the inconvenience and disruption they could cause. The report also underscores that spending on car use reduction initiatives has been disjointed and lacked transparency, further complicating the effort to meet the target.
Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General, expressed doubt that the target would be met. He stressed that the failure to reduce car use could undermine broader climate goals, including Scotland’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Calls for Clearer Guidance and Action
Ruth MacLeod of the Accounts Commission emphasized that the Scottish government and local councils must take more coordinated action. She urged councils to clearly outline their contributions to the car use reduction target and set measurable progress markers. Furthermore, the Scottish government must offer clearer direction and support to ensure the necessary changes take place at all levels of government.
Transport Scotland, the body responsible for the country’s transportation policy, acknowledged the need for progress. A spokesperson affirmed that reducing reliance on cars and shifting toward public transport and active travel were crucial for meeting Scotland’s climate goals. They noted that the upcoming budget would invest £263 million in the transition, which is seen as essential for achieving more sustainable transport systems.
Setbacks and Criticism of the SNP’s Strategy
The Scottish National Party (SNP)-led government’s efforts have faced significant setbacks. In 2022, it canceled a trial program that would have scrapped peak rail fares, citing a £40 million cost. This decision came as a blow to the initiative to encourage more people to use public transport. First Minister John Swinney, however, continued to insist last year that the 2030 target was still achievable, requiring a shift in public behavior and more investment in sustainable transport.
Critics have voiced concerns over the SNP’s “incoherent strategy.” Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber argued that reducing car use must go hand-in-hand with providing affordable and efficient public transport alternatives. However, under SNP management, services such as ScotRail have been cut, and ticket prices have risen, which has discouraged people from using public transport.
Scottish Labour Transport spokeswoman Claire Baker also criticized the SNP for failing to deliver on its green transport promises. She pointed out that the government has repeatedly set ambitious targets without taking the necessary actions to meet them.
Green MSP’s Call for Cheaper Transport Options
Mark Ruskell, a Green MSP, urged the Scottish government to take immediate action to address the issue. He suggested that the cost of transport remains a significant barrier to people switching from cars to greener alternatives. Ruskell proposed that introducing cheaper bus and train fares could incentivize more people to leave their cars at home and make the transition to more sustainable modes of transport.
As Scotland continues to face significant challenges in achieving its 2030 target, the need for a clear, coordinated approach to reduce car use and invest in sustainable transport options has never been more urgent.
