Scotland ‘unlikely’ to hit 2030 car use climate target | UK News

Scotland is “unlikely” to meet its 2030 climate change target to reduce car use, according to public spending watchdogs.

The Scottish government set out to reduce kilometres driven by 20% – however a report found it had made “minimal progress” since the pledge five years ago.

Audit Scotland, which oversees Scottish government spending, and the Accounts Commission, which oversees local government spending, said there was a lack of leadership and “no clear plan” for meeting the target.

First Minister John Swinney insisted last year the target could still be met, but the government recognised there was still “some way to go”.

The report said: “A lack of leadership has resulted in minimal progress against the demanding policy intention.

“It is not clear if the Scottish government remains committed to the target as key documents remain in draft form,

“There is no costed delivery plan or measurable milestones, and arrangements for monitoring and scrutinising progress are insufficient.”

Audit Scotland said in order to achieve the car kilometre target, car traffic levels would need to decrease by 7.3 billion kilometres to 29.3 billion.

The last time car use was at this level was 1994.

The report said policies which attempt to meet the target had not been joined up and decisions which could significantly discourage car use would be “difficult and potentially unpopular”.

Spending by councils and the Scottish government on reducing car use was complex, fragmented and lacked transparency, the report added.

Auditor General Stephen Boyle said: “It’s now unlikely the government will achieve its ambition, so it needs to be clear how this will affect its wider ambitions to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.”

Ruth MacLeod, of the Accounts Commission, said: “All parts of government need to act to deliver the 2030 car use reduction target.

“Councils need to set out to what extent they will contribute and how they will measure their progress.

“But they also need clearer guidance and direction from the Scottish government.”

Transport Scotland said it would consider the recommendations while working with council body Cosla, as well as regional transport and local authority partners.

It said the next budget would invest £263m in this area.

A spokesperson said: “Reducing Scotland’s reliance on cars and encouraging a shift towards public transport and active travel is a crucial step in meeting our climate targets.

“We recognise that Scotland has still got some way to go to transition from private vehicles and towards more sustainable public transport – and cross-party support at all levels of government is key.”

The Scottish government declared a climate emergency in 2019, and set new targets for reducing emissions by 2045.

Interim targets were also announced, including a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

In 2022, it said its efforts to reduce car use by 20% against the 2019 baseline were “stepping up a gear”.

However, last year it axed its trial of scrapping peak rail fares – meant to encourage people to use public transport – after saying the £40m price tag could not be justified.

Following this decision in August, Mr Swinney said he believed the 2030 target could still be met, and said it “obviously requires changes in behaviour from members of the public”.

In November, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation to remove the interim emissions reduction target for 2030, after experts said it was no longer credible.

Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said the SNP Scottish government had an “incoherent strategy”.

She added: “Reducing car usage depends on providing efficient and affordable public transport alternatives.

“Yet under SNP control, ScotRail is deterring would-be passengers by cutting services, at the same time as hiking ticket prices with the reintroduction of peak fares.”

Scottish Labour Transport spokeswoman Claire Baker said: “This damning report lays bare the SNP’s failure to build a greener, modern transport system.

“Once again the SNP has been setting targets and then failing to lift a finger to deliver on them.”

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said the report must be a “wake-up call”,

He said: “Part of the challenge is the extortionate cost of transport. By introducing cheaper bus and train fares we can encourage people to make the switch to greener alternatives and to leave their car at home.”