Glossary and List of Abbreviations

A number of abbreviations and technical terms are utilised throughout this document. Below, these have been set out alongside a brief definition to aid in the reading of this document for those who may not have the requisite background knowledge of these issues.

Climate Change Committee: An independent, non-departmental public body, formed under the Climate Change Act 2008 to advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

CCPu: The 2020 update to Scotland’s climate change plan for the period 2018 – 2032.

Climate Emergency Response Group: A collective of like-minded climate leaders spanning Scotland’s private, public and third sectors, delivery organisations and membership bodies. The group draws on its wide-ranging expertise and experience to inform and influence the Scottish Government’s response to the climate emergency by providing practical, workable solutions that can be implemented – not in the future – but now.

COSLA: The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The umbrella organisation for Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

Decarbonisation: refers to the process of significantly reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases from the earth’s atmosphere. Decarbonisation is the process which countries need to go through to achieve net zero targets.

Demand Management:  Traffic Demand Management (referred to in this paper as Demand Management) is the process of improving transport efficiency to reduce congestion and make better use of transport infrastructure. Policies to support this could include road user charging, for example ‘congestion charging’ in certain areas or the introduction of toll roads. Other examples include parking management, road space reallocation, traffic calming measures, or reduced speed limit zones.

Electric Vehicles: An electric vehicle is a vehicle that is propelled partly or fully by electricity. Unlike petrol or diesel fuelled cars, electric vehicles do not emit CO2, so they are also sometimes referred to as zero emission vehicles or ZEVs.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The release of gases that have a negative impact on the planet’s ability to balance incoming and outgoing energy, therefore altering the climate (The basics of climate change). As the most dominant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO₂), greenhouse gas emissions are sometimes referred to as “carbon emissions”. However, other greenhouse gases are also contributing to climate change, particularly nitrous oxide and methane (Greenhouse gas emissions).

Just Transition: A just transition is both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the process that must be undertaken in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero. Just transition is how we get to a net zero and climate resilient economy by 2045, in a way that delivers fairness and tackles inequality and injustice.

Modal Shift: Encouraging a switch from private car travel to more sustainable modes like walking, cycling, and public transport. This shift aims to reduce transport-related emissions, improve air quality, and create more sustainable transport systems.

Net Zero (Emissions): A situation in which any greenhouse gas emissions put into the atmosphere are balanced out by the greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere, so that the “net” effect is zero emissions. Scotland has committed to ‘net zero’ emissions by 2045. To achieve this, we must reduce the emissions we produce to a minimum and capture any greenhouse gases we cannot avoid emitting through initiatives like tree planting.

NTS2: The second National Transport Strategy for Scotland, which sets out an ambitious vision for Scotland’s transport system for the next 20 years.

RTPs: Regional Transport Partnerships. RTPs bring together local authorities and other key regional stakeholders to take a strategic approach to transport in each region of Scotland. All local authorities in Scotland are members of a regional transport partnership. Some RTPs are also responsible for the delivery of transport services. In particular Strathclyde Partnership for Transport owns and operates the Glasgow subway and major bus stations across the west of Scotland.

STPR2: The Strategic Transport Projects Review 2. This provides an overview of transport investment, mainly infrastructure and other behavioural change recommendations, that are required to deliver the National Transport Strategy priorities and objectives of the Review. This is a key component of Scotland’s journey to net zero emissions and will, in conjunction with existing commitments and other policy ambitions, enable a reduction in transport emissions as well as, addressing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing.

Triple Access Planning: A holistic approach to planning that considers accessibility through land use (spatial proximity), transport (physical mobility) and digital accessibility.

VED: Vehicle Excise Duty. Commonly referred to as road tax. An annual tax paid by owners of vehicles driven or kept on public roads. The tax applies to vehicles in the whole of the UK. How much a vehicle owner pays in VED depends on a number of factors, including the type of vehicle owned, when it was first registered, or its environmental performance. Certain vehicles are exempt from paying VED. For instance, vehicles used by someone receiving the enhanced mobility element of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Fully electric vehicles became liable for VED from 1 April 2025.

Wellbeing Economy: An economy in which citizens’ wellbeing drives economic prosperity, stability, and resilience, and vice-versa. The wellbeing of people and the planet is at the heart of policymaking, ensuring that growth is equitable and sustainable (The economy of well-being: Creating opportunities for people’s well-being and economic growth).