Government to help six islands reach net zero
The Scottish Government is doubling the number of islands it will support to become carbon neutral by 2040, five years ahead of mainland Scotland and a decade before the UK, the minister for islands announced at COP26, writes Sandy Neil.
In a speech before delegates from Greenland and the Åland Islands during the UN climate change summit in Glasgow, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon said Holyrood would help six islands to achieve net zero, twice the number announced in September.
The Scottish Government is working towards Scotland becoming net zero by 2045, five years before the UK Government target.
‘We are determined for Scotland to lead the race to net zero,’ said Ms Gougeon.
‘Climate change and nature loss are the greatest threats facing people and our planet and we’re already seeing the impact of this here in Scotland. Small low-lying islands are under threat from climate change and predicted sea-level rise.
‘Climate change is expected to increase instances of flooding and coastal erosion, while simultaneously negatively affecting water supply, food production, health, tourism and accelerating habitat depletion. The Dynamic Coast project has sought to map the extent of coastal erosion in Scotland. It has highlighted that a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions is essential – but must be delivered alongside adaptation of coastal infrastructure and communities.
‘Islands aren’t just a climate problem to solve, but actually could unlock the solutions to the climate challenges we face. Our activity here in Scotland seeks to put islanders in charge of their own carbon destiny.
‘There are vast opportunities for island communities to lead the way in showing how to realise our climate change ambitions.
‘Both renewable (green) and low-carbon (blue) hydrogen will play an increasingly important role in our energy transition to net zero in 2045. Many communities have exciting ambitions to be important renewable energy hubs. This includes establishing hydrogen production facilities to make use of the islands’ wind, wave and tidal generation capacity.
‘We will support not three, but six Scottish islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. By ‘carbon neutral’, we mean an island where the greenhouse gas emissions, captured as CO2 equivalent, are in balance with the carbon sinks.
‘To begin supporting these six islands in their journey towards carbon neutrality, early next summer, we will begin to undertake carbon audits to plan action and track progress.
‘We will also continue to consult with communities so that we fully understand the local impacts of carbon neutral solutions.’