Background

p>In 2019, Scotland declared a global climate emergency. Research commissioned by Transport Scotland in 2021 concluded that it would not be possible to reach net zero emissions through a transition to electric vehicles alone, and that changes in people’s behaviour to reduce overall car use will also be required. Car use remains the largest emitter within the transport sector with 39% of total transport emissions and 12.4% of Scotland’s overall emissions, so reducing car use is deemed essential for the transport system to be de-carbonised, therefore Scotland’s Climate Change Plan update included a target to reduce car distance travelled in Scotland.

In 2022, we subsequently developed and consulted on a draft route map to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030 and draft impact assessments. The route map was aimed predominantly at national, regional, and local stakeholders to facilitate a collaborative approach to meeting the target and intended to raise awareness of the need for change and empower people to swich to more sustainable travel modes in Scotland.

The development of the target was informed by the statutory emissions target of net zero by 2045 and the interim target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030. Following the passage of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024, we will now set out our carbon budgets through secondary legislation taking into account the latest advice from the Climate Change Committee once available. This means that the 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 target is no longer statutory, which allows the opportunity to review the approach to car use reduction in Scotland with a longer-term lens.

Audit Scotland, in their Sustainable Transport Audit report, called for the Scottish Government to clarify its commitment to reducing transport emissions through the car kilometre (km) target, and to set out how this aligns with the new carbon budget approach towards its climate change policy.

The publication of the policy statement is the first step in our renewed approach to achieving sustainable car use reduction in Scotland. In the document, we reaffirm our commitment to this policy outcome, setting out the current national context, the societal benefits to pursuing this ambition, and our overarching approach to the policy. Following receipt of the necessary evidence this summer, we will develop a new, longer-term target for reducing car use and set out our approach to delivery of this target alongside key stakeholders.

This is a crucial part of enabling Scotland to achieve its ambition of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Car use reduction also has wider benefits to offer, by reducing the negative impacts of existing car use including air and noise pollution, road danger, physical inactivity, community severance and congestion.

The principle of a just transition is at the heart of car use reduction policy, and it is recognised that there will be some people for whom this will be more challenging. This will be true in rural areas where people may face longer trip distances and where there may be fewer alternative mode options; as well as for disabled people who use cars as a mobility aid; those having to trip chain with children (which evidence shows are primarily women); and some workers and businesses for whom car use may be more important. It is for this reason that the policy is a national one rather than a policy for all regions of Scotland or indeed all individuals within Scotland to achieve the same percentage reduction in car use.

It is however important to recognise the inequity of a status quo that facilitates car use at the expense of other modes. This is because cars are not currently used equally by all groups, with young people, older people, disabled people, women, and some ethnic minorities likely to use cars, they are therefore less likely to benefit from a status quo where significant public space is allocated to private vehicles.