Time to double down on climate progress

The release of the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan was a welcome arrival and expertly timed – just ahead of the proceedings in Brazil for COP30. The Brazil event, whilst slightly lower in profile than previous years, is no less vital in ensuring that the world cements progress already made and takes the further action necessary to meet our aspirations to stop climate change across the globe.

Three decades of international debate and negotiations is no small achievement in and of itself, and substantive progress has already been made. However, the next steps are inevitably going to need each country to internalise the challenges and make real on promises for future action.

Against that background, we welcomed the release of the Scottish Government’s draft Climate
Change Plan, now out for consultation until the end of January 2026. It is a good document, and a good foundation for the specific action we need to take.

Some commentators have already pointed to the draft Plan holding lofty ambitions but falling short on detailed actions and commitments on delivery, and whilst we must be careful that we do not crush high level ambition under the pressure of intricate detail, we do have to get to specifics.

Quite rightly, the Government is highlighting that the major next steps are in the area of carbon
consumption, particularly buildings and heat, as well as transport. But we must not lose sight of the further progress that can be made in the transition to a decarbonised electricity system in line with the Clean Power 2030 plan – which will be critical for the economy and in bringing strengthened energy security.

Positive progress has been made by both sector and Government in pushing forward the
commitments of the Scottish Government’s Onshore Wind Sector Deal and the UK’s Onshore Wind Taskforce, however this momentum needs to continue at pace, particularly on the issues of Eskdalemuir and peatland. While delays in decision making and resource challenges continue to create significant barriers for timely delivery of renewables and enabling grid investment.

Crucially, we also need an evolution in community benefit and shared ownership. Helping to ensure that arrangements are fair, flexible and meet the needs of our host communities - whilst avoiding different arrangements across the UK that will, inevitably, only create resentment and delay.

The draft Climate Change Plan is a step forward, and we welcome it. We also look for a
constructive industry dialogue with the Government, so that the final plan adds specific actions to welcome strategic ambition.

Whether it is in Brazil, at COP30, or in Scotland, we need a redoubling of our national and
international efforts to deliver positive change on climate impact, whilst ensuring that Scotland’s
communities and regions benefit. That is the mission that drives me and drives everything we do at Muirhall Energy.

Sarah McIntosh

Managing Director 

Muirhall Energy