Scotland Ups Their Target

As part of my series on how far ahead the rest of the world is getting, today i talk about Scotland's new renewable energy target.


Earlier Scotland had a 50% target. Having done more research since then, the government has set a new target of 80% renewables by 2020.

Ironically in 2007 the 50% target was dismissed as "unachievable and unworkable", but with the growth of renewable energy, it now seems the target will be met ahead of schedule, bringing "massive environmental, economic and social gains".

If only other countries had such vision. Here in Australia, our 2020 target is a mere 20% renewables. Meanwhile, Scotland aims to reduce carbon emissions by 42% by 2020, while Australia offers just 5%.