Continued delays to the updated climate change plan and further slippage in climate policies mean that the Climate Change Committee no longer believes that the Scottish Government will meet its 2030 target.
Scotland has a statutory 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 75%, while there is no comprehensive strategy for Scotland to decarbonise towards net zero, it said.
The Scottish Government delayed its draft Climate Change Plan last year despite the 2030 target only being six years away.
The CCC said this has left a significant period without sufficient actions or policies to reach the target; the required acceleration in emissions reduction in Scotland is now beyond what is credible.
Professor Piers Forster, interim Chair of the Climate Change Committee said: “Scotland’s Climate Change Plan needs to be published urgently, so we can assess it. We need to see actions that will deliver on its future targets.”
Scotland missed its annual target for 2021, the eighth time in the past 12 years that it has missed a target.
The only sectors to reduce emissions in 2021 were electricity supply and industry, while most key indicators of delivery progress, such as tree planting, peatland restoration rates and heat pump installations are off track.
Morag Watson, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is already doing much of the heavy lifting in reducing Scotland’s carbon emissions.
“Indeed, the Climate Change Committee points out that electricity supply was one of only two sectors to reduce emissions in 2021.
“This warning will damage the confidence of international investors at a time when we need their help to build out the renewable energy projects which will to secure our energy supplies, tackle climate change and deliver social and economic growth across Scotland.
“Time is running out for Scotland’s 2030 goals.
“We urge the Scottish Government to work collaboratively with industry and stakeholders to deliver a stable and predictable policy environment and maintain investor confidence to realise Scotland’s full potential as a net zero powerhouse.”