Scottish greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2013

Scottish greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to fall to 53 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013 from 54.9 tons in 2012, showed the official statistics on Tuesday.

Between 1990 and 2013, there was a 34.3 percent reduction in estimated emissions in Scotland. The main contributors to this reduction have been a fall in energy supply emissions (such as in the production of electricity) and from waste management emissions, showed the latest figures published by Scotland's Chief Statistician.

When emissions are adjusted to take account of trading in the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System, emissions fell by 14 percent between 2012 and 2013 from 57.8 tons to 49.7 tons.

Compared to the Baseline Period, emissions in 2013 were 38.4 percent lower after taking account of trading in the EU Emissions Trading System.

The Baseline Period is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and 1995 for the F gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride), said the Scottish government press release.

Scottish Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod said: "Scotland is well on track to meet our ambitious emissions targets, with these latest figures for 2013 showing we are more than three quarters of the way there with seven years still to go."

She emphasized the Scottish government's target of a 42 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and commitment to tackling climate change with a further package of climate change action encompassing energy, the environment and transport. Endit