More buttons to be pushed in Scotland’s race to net-zero

The politicians are going home, campaigners are moving onto other places, and from Monday, I too will return to my desk.

For two weeks, Glasgow held the world’s attention as we tried to make progress on climate action. I hope everyone returning home keeps the same thought in their minds – that COP26 was the opening ceremony, not the closing one, of a renewed commitment to tackle climate change.

Officially, the UK has the COP presidency for the next 12 months. So, what should we do with it? What needs to happen for Glasgow to follow Rio 1992, Kyoto 1997 and Paris 2015 as key moments on climate?

We all know the numbers. Limiting the impact of global warming to 1.5C is crucial. It means lower sea level rises, fewer droughts, heatwaves and storms. It also means a more diverse environment, helping preserve wildlife and wild landscapes.

One of the things I often talk about is why the climate crisis is an opportunity, not an impossible challenge. We can use our COP presidency to demonstrate this, showcasing the benefits of low-carbon living here in Scotland.

At a national level, we’ve made some big changes already.

We set a target for net-zero emissions of 2045 – five years earlier than the rest of the UK. We’ve dramatically increased the amount of clean energy we produce. And we’ve started building the future of clean transport, creating schemes like Chargeplace Scotland to power electric cars.

This momentum will continue. In 2022, the next generation of windfarms, built off our coastline, will get the green light. Green hydrogen projects that will provide zero-carbon fuel to our industries are in development. Meanwhile, Edinburgh and Glasgow are in a race to reach net-zero quicker than 2045. Each change brings the potential for new jobs, new investment and new ideas.

Smaller changes can also be made to great effect. We’ve seen for years how community renewable energy schemes in the Highlands and Islands can effectively replace fossil fuels.

Individually, more people are taking decisions to help reach net-zero. Recycling more, walking rather than driving short distances and improving home insulation. More and more people are making the switch to electric vehicles, and there’s a growing understanding of the need to address how we heat our homes, moving away from the gas boilers to electric heat pumps. I hope we see this positive movement keep growing.

COP26 was a big moment with big commitments. Yet its legacy could be felt through every action, no matter how small. Let’s act together to show the world the benefits of a low-carbon future, right

here in Scotland.