Scotland tops EU emissions reduction league

Scotland has outdone all its European neighbours when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Between 1990 and 2010, emissions in Scotland fell by 22.8%, which a new European league […]

Scotland has outdone all its European neighbours when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Between 1990 and 2010, emissions in Scotland fell by 22.8%, which a new European league table shows is the largest reduction among the EU-15 Member States.

Scotland’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said the European Environment Agency Greenhouse Gas Data Viewer showed his country was “world-leading”.

Mr Wheelhouse said: “Scotland has world-leading climate change legislation, and we are half way to meeting our target of a 42% cut in emissions by 2020.

“We are committed to are taking strong action to deliver emissions reductions and the fact that Scotland tops the EU-15 countries for emissions reduction, ahead of Germany, Denmark and England – and significantly higher than the EU-27 countries average of 14.3% – is testament to our level of ambition and the work that has been undertaken so far.”

With the UN’s  climate talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar beginning this week, he urged world leaders to commit to higher levels of ambition when countering climate change.

Mr Wheelhouse added: “This shows exactly what can be achieved with strong political commitment, ground breaking legislation and a comprehensive framework for action.”

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