Hotels, banks, supermarkets, schools and local authorities will join forces to help Scotland achieve its world leading emissions reduction targets under new plans being consulted on from today.

Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson announced the publication of the final consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) along with the UK Government and other devolved administrations.

If approved by Parliament the CRC would be the world's first mandatory carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme covering organisations using 6,000 Megawatt hours of electricity per year. It will help participants save money and cut their carbon emissions.


Stewart Stevenson said: "The Carbon Reduction Commitment will be a key part of our efforts to tackle climate change and reduce emissions.

"In December last year we laid before Parliament the most ambitious climate change bill anywhere in the world. Achieving these targets will be challenging, but I'm confident that Government, business and the people of Scotland are up this task."

Mr Stevenson said the government expects the market for energy efficient technology to grow in response to the CRC, stimulating innovation that will help lay the foundations of a low carbon economy and create thousands of jobs over the next decade.

(GK/JM)