The Scottish government has officially dropped its ambitious target to reduce car use by 20% by the year 2030, a goal that had been a key part of the SNP’s climate change manifesto. The original objective aimed to cut the number of kilometers traveled by car across the country to reduce harmful emissions and combat climate change. However, car usage in Scotland has only decreased by 3.6% since the Covid pandemic, signaling significant challenges in meeting the target.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the review of this target during a session with MSPs, citing that the goal was “not realistic” and would require adjustment. She stressed that the government would work closely with experts from the Climate Change Committee to determine a more achievable target, with recommendations expected by May.
Audit Scotland’s Concerns
The decision to drop or revise the target follows a critical report by Audit Scotland in January, which revealed a lack of clear planning and leadership in reducing car usage. The watchdog warned that Scotland was “unlikely” to meet the original 2030 target, leading to growing concerns among environmentalists and policymakers alike.
Hyslop acknowledged these issues, saying, “We will need to drop the target, or change the target from 20%.” While she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the reduction of car use, she also admitted that the original figure of 20% was too ambitious.
Environmentalists’ Disappointment
The decision has been met with disappointment and criticism from environmental groups. Caroline Rance, the head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, described the move as “shameful.” She pointed out that one-third of households in Scotland do not own a car, and in cities, this figure rises to nearly half. For many low-income households, limited access to cars and poor public transportation options leave them isolated from essential services like work, healthcare, and education.
Rance further highlighted the public health risks associated with car dominance, noting that 2,700 people die each year from toxic air pollution in Scotland, with many more suffering from health issues related to poor air quality.
Mark Ruskell MSP, the Scottish Greens’ transport spokesperson, also criticized the government’s inaction, stating that while emissions from transport remain the largest source of pollution in Scotland, private car use continues to make up a significant portion of that. “We’ve known for decades that to tackle the climate emergency, we need to cut car use,” Ruskell added, lamenting that the government’s actions have not kept pace with its rhetoric.
Low Emission Zones and Future Plans
Despite the setback, the Scottish government is not entirely abandoning its efforts to reduce car usage. Several measures have been introduced in recent years to promote greener transportation options, such as low-emission zones in cities like Edinburgh. These zones are designed to encourage drivers to use their vehicles less frequently in urban areas, helping to reduce emissions.
Ministers are now working in collaboration with local government body Cosla and regional transport partnerships to implement a more realistic and phased approach to reducing car use. Hyslop mentioned that a renewed policy statement on car use reduction would be published jointly with Cosla later this spring.
Gail Macgregor, Cosla’s environment spokeswoman, admitted that authorities had not done as much as they should have but emphasized the importance of looking forward. “We’re looking at a more phased approach now, so we probably won’t be delivering as ambitiously as we originally would have intended,” she said, acknowledging that the revised target would be more achievable.
Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach?
While the Scottish government’s decision to drop the 20% car use reduction target is a blow to ambitious climate goals, it also reflects the practical challenges faced in meeting such a target. The government’s shift toward a more phased and realistic approach could ensure that the target is adjusted to better reflect current circumstances, offering a better chance of success in the long term.
As the government continues to work with local bodies and experts to fine-tune its strategy, the focus will likely shift to achieving incremental reductions in car usage, coupled with improvements to public transport and urban infrastructure. Whether this revised strategy will be enough to make a meaningful impact on Scotland’s emissions remains to be seen.
