Scotland has an ambitious low carbon strategy

Scotland is creating opportunities, right now for investment, innovation and developing talent and human capital.

We know each element of the energy system impacts on the others. Our fully integrated strategy reflects that - covering power, heat and transport systems.

To develop its circular economy, Scotland wants to:

• Reduce waste and litter
• Reduce its carbon and resource footprint
• Increase recycling rates and quality of waste materials for recycling
• Maximise economic opportunities

We support companies to develop low carbon manufacturing, new processes and increased efficiency to ensure sustainable growth.

Meeting the challenge of transitioning to a carbon neutral economy and mobilising opportunities needs strong collaboration. That's why Scotland is actively engaging a broad range of stakeholders across the private, public and community spheres in the process.

If you want to see what a low carbon future looks like you should be in Scotland. Now.

Hywind Scotland, the world's first floating offshore wind farm is now in production, providing clean energy to 20,000 Scottish homes. The 30 megawatt wind farm, is operated by Norway's Equinor, in partnership with Abu Dhabi investor Masdar.

Read the full story 

More on investing in Scotland's renewable energy and low carbon industry 

Scotland’s energy transition is underpinned by targeted financial support

Want to bring your project to life? Think Scotland. Benefit from a range of attractive incentives to help you upskill your staff, develop new products and services and access growth capital.

More on financial and tax incentives  

As an innovation nation, Scotland is:

• Adopting a mix of smart technologies and low carbon generation to meet local energy needs
• Pursuing ambitious targets to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel vehicles for 2032 via support and demonstration
• Exploring options for decarbonising energy and the wider economy via hydrogen and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS)
• Providing the best support in Europe for companies to undertake research and demonstration of water related technology
• Helping companies commercialise water related technology to market

More on Scotland's strengths in innovation 

Smarter cities

Through the Scottish Cities Alliance opens in a new window , £60 million is being invested to make Scotland's cities smarter. Technology, using data, apps and IoT, will help accelerate and transform the delivery of city services.

Net Zero Cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, are competing to become the UK's first net zero emission cities. As such, they have set out ambitious programmes for decarbonisation

More about locations for your business 

Sustainable transport

The Scottish Government has set out a strategy to put Scotland on a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2045, with some of the most ambitious targets in the world.

Developing and implementing sustainable transport solutions will play an important role in achieving these targets.

Scotland is already on track with:

• The largest fleet of hydrogen buses in Europe
• The UK's largest electric taxi fleet
• The world's first diesel-electric hybrid ferries 
• The world’s first hydrogen duel fuel refuse collection vehicles 
• Plans to decarbonise its railways by 2035
• £60 million for the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc over 10 years to focus on mobility, clean transport and low carbon energy solutions

More about Scotland's low carbon transport 

Greener buildings

Scotland is introducing new building performance standards. It's also supporting substantial investments in low carbon heat and energy efficiency to decarbonise the nation's building stock.

The Scottish Government's Route Map for an Energy Efficient Scotland opens in a new window  outlines a 20-year programme of actions to make all of Scotland's existing buildings near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050.

Glasgow-based company, IES is pioneering technology that's helping to reduce the carbon emissions of buildings and cities worldwide. Read the full article on the Scottish Enterprise website opens in a new window  

Geothermal and district heating

Scotland is leading the world with the only facility of its kind - the Glasgow Geothermal Energy Field Research Site opens in a new window . The project, and related projects around it, will help us not only understand the potential for geothermal heat, but provide a platform to develop demonstrations.

Scotland's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme opens in a new window  has funded several demonstrator district heating projects in Fife, Dundee and Stirling.

Geothermal energy opportunities in Scotland

Our low carbon specialist, Conall McGinley, reflects on the global response to climate change and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Scotland in the low carbon heat sector.