The Scottish Government recently announced its intention to target net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, keeping Scotland firmly in its place among the world leaders on climate change action.
It has taken this lead, building on the already substantial work it has done to develop a renewables industry, notwithstanding the substantial industry, revenues and employment that North Sea oil and gas produce.
Some might question the contradiction, but the transition to renewables as part of the solution to net zero could and ought to prove to be far-sighted.
To successfully move to net zero while at the same time preserving the wealth and prosperity of Scotland, what are some of the policy and legislative factors that Scottish Government has implemented or ought to consider?
Be single-minded
The first is not so much a policy or legal point but is really about confidence and single-minded aims. The main reason why renewable energy has flourished over the years in Scotland and the reason why renewables energy businesses and the supply chain behind them have chosen to locate or focus on Scotland has been the consistent and vocal support, including the funding support for early stage technologies that has been on offer over many years.
Never has this been more important than in recent years as subsidies have been phased out at a UK level. With onshore renewables now seen by many as the cheapest form of generation, coupled with Scotland’s natural wind and marine resources, Scotland is poised to reap the benefits. A further offshore wind leasing round ‘Scotwind’ is also due imminently.
Turn oil & gas into a positive
Secondly, Scotland’s oil and gas workforce and facilities are ideally placed to assist in the continued transition. The skills, techniques and facilities derived from the oil and gas sector can complement, for example, the growth of marine and offshore wind renewables.
There are plenty of examples of Scottish expertise being exported around the world to assist in renewables deployment already, and it will be essential in that respect that Scottish Government maintains its support and desire for floating wind and marine energy. It is not alone in that. Wales and Cornwall are also putting pressure on Westminster for a clear policy that targets these new, developing technologies alongside more mature renewables.
Use people power
Thirdly, Scotland’s policies on community ownership to capitalise on the opportunities its natural resources present have continued to develop. The most recent guidance on Shared Ownership reiterates that Scotland is committed to ensuring that communities benefit from Scotland’s low carbon transition. For shared ownership to work it will be essential to make sure that community groups are properly constituted and advised on the risks as well as the benefits of shared ownership.
Cut the red tape
One of the barriers to the deployment of clean energy, however, is often the cost and time of consenting projects. This is not a recent issue and the UK as a whole has been wrestling with this for some years.
With planning policy making new onshore wind in particular very challenging in England, there is an opportunity for Scotland to capitalise. The right balance must be struck between protecting the environment and local concerns, and allowing development which assists in the transition to zero emissions and wider prosperity.
But one thing everyone agrees on is that the process needs to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Environmental policies move, and new concerns will always arise into the future, so policy-makers have a role in making sure that the consenting process is not seen as an unjustified blockage.
Build infrastructure
We have referred mainly to electricity so far (and Scotland can be very proud of what’s been done so far to decarbonise its electricity systems. Almost three-quarters of Scotland’s electricity use was met by renewable sources last year).
However, to achieve the transition, more needs to be done on its heat and transport systems. The policy in this area exists but is taking time to filter through. On transport, the Scottish Government has targeted the phasing-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.
To achieve this, there is an obvious requirement for lots of new infrastructure (electric charging points and/or hydrogen filling stations, for example) in a relatively short period of time. It will be vital to make sure that this infrastructure is properly thought through, future-proofed and located appropriately, and the Government has a key role to play here.
The above are just a few areas, but to come back to the support that Scotland has provided in terms of consistent statements supporting the move to low carbon over the last decade, it has recognised that it must also support young people’s engagement with climate change (by supporting the 2050 Climate Group’s Young Leaders Development Programme, for example). Such support and recognition will surely only help to keep up the current momentum.
The key role for any Government is to protect the health and prosperity of the nation, and transitioning to low carbon with the right policies in place can achieve that.
Ross Fairley is the head of and Lynette Purves a Scotland-based senior associate in the Renewable Energy team at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon
