New climate change target ‘too soon’ to be achieved, say officers

Fife will not meet a revised climate change target set for next year, it has emerged.

Councillors on the region’s environment, protective services and community safety committee have been told that while Fife has made significant progress, the Scottish Government’s recently altered target for 2020 has been deemed by officers to be “too soon to be realistically achievable”.

Fife has already met its existing target for 2020, which requires it to cut emissions by 42% compared to 1990 levels.

However, national targets are due to become even more challenging as a result of changes to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act.

The new targets mean bodies will be expected to cut emissions by 56% next year.

Fife Council has already set itself a goal to hit national targets for 2032 and 2050, which have been set at 66% and 90% respectively.

Committee members were told by officers there is “no immediate consequence” for missing the 2020 benchmark.

They also heard Fife Council had developed a carbonmanagement plan to help it meet its goals in the future.

Fife Resource Solutions will be commissioned to develop a programme of carbonreduction projects and business cases will be brought forward.

Ken Gourlay, head of the service, said there was no formal requirement to produce a carbon management plan but it was considered good practice.

However, he warned significant steps will be needed in the years ahead as the targets will not be met if the authority sticks to “business as usual”.