Government outlines green commitments in 2019-20 Programme for Government

Announcing this year’s Programme for Government, Ms Sturgeon also unveiled plans for a Heat Networks Bill, a consultation on new buildings regulations, green city region deals and said decarbonisation will be the primary mission of the Scottish National Investment Bank.

A landmark investment of more than £500 million to improve bus infrastructure across the country to encourage more people to use public transport, plans to decarbonise Scotland’s railways by 2035 and make the Highlands and Islands the world’s first net-zero aviation region by 2040 were also announced.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed the first wave of schools to be built or refurbished through a new £1bn school investment programme will be announced later this month and an extra £15m will be provided to help improve additional support for learning.

The measures include:

• a ‘Green New Deal’, harnessing the power of the Scottish National Investment Bank and creating a £3bn package of investments to attract green finance to Scotland
• develop regulations so that new homes from 2024 must use renewable or low carbon heat
• targeting a minimum of £30m of support for renewable heat projects
• making the first Job Start Payments in spring 2020
• putting in place a Women’s Health Plan to tackle women’s health inequalities
• continuing to support mental health, with a 24/7 crisis support service for children and young people and their families, a community wellbeing service enabling self-referral for children and young people and a £5 million investment in a community perinatal mental health service across Scotland
• taking forward planning to mitigate the worst consequences of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

The First Minister said: “This Programme for Government will put health, prosperity and wellbeing at its heart, and will reinforce Scotland’s place as a dynamic, open, innovative economy.

“In the last 12 months we have made important progress in creating a better and fairer country and this year’s Programme for Government builds on that record.

“Earlier this year, I acknowledged that Scotland – like the rest of the world – faces a climate emergency. We are now committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest – earlier than any other UK nation.

“This year’s Programme for Government is an important part of our response to the climate emergency, containing measures which will reduce emissions while supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.

“It sets out actions which will make a difference for years to come. It details measures which can help make our country the best in the world to grow up, learn, work and live. It meets the challenges of the future while staying true to our enduring values.

“However, alongside these crucial steps, we will continue to plan for the possibility of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and, as long as this remains a risk, the Scottish Government will work as hard as we can to mitigate the impact on families, communities and businesses across the country.”

Morag Watson, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said: “It is pleasing to see the Scottish Government put the climate emergency at the heart of its programme, particularly with welcome new commitments to a Heat Networks Bill and plans to phase out gas in new homes from 2024. It is essential that Scotland’s political parties come together to ensure these ambitions become a reality.

“The next year is likely to be a politically and economically challenging one for Scotland’s renewable energy sector. The Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency and delivering a Green New Deal for Scotland come as a welcome boost to the 17,700 people who work in Scotland’s renewable energy industry, and the many more who could if Scotland fulfilled its renewables potential.

“The measures outlined in the Programme for Government aimed at supporting Scotland’s renewable electricity sector are welcome, but Scotland’s renewable energy industry will only be able to rise to the challenge if government regulation and support is consistent with the needs of the climate emergency.”

The Climate Emergency Response Group, a group of civic and business, welcomed the Scottish Government’s response to the climate emergency as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Speaking for the group, Mike Thornton, group director of operations, Energy Saving Trust, said: “We welcome and are heartened by the broad package of measures in response to the climate emergency which were announced today in the Programme for Government. These are the bold and transformational policies, spanning sectors from transport, agriculture, buildings to procurement, that are needed to show we are serious about addressing the climate emergency. An emergency requires an emergency response.”