Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-p566r Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T16:57:41.026Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Multi-level governance: opportunities and barriers in moving to a low-carbon Scotland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2013

David Sugden
Affiliation:
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP
Alan Werritty
Affiliation:
School of the Environment, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Janette Webb
Affiliation:
Institute of Governance, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1LZ
Erica Caldwell
Affiliation:
18, Maule Street, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7AP
Colin Campbell
Affiliation:
The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH
Andrew Dlugolecki
Affiliation:
Climate Research Unit, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ
Nick Hanley
Affiliation:
Economics Division, Management School, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Andrew Kerr
Affiliation:
Edinburgh Centre for Low Carbon Innovation and Skills, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA

Abstract

In view of the challenge posed by climate change and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, The Royal Society of Edinburgh Inquiry (2011) examined the barriers making it difficult for Scotland to change to a low-carbon society. The single most important finding is that, whilst widely desired, change is held back by the lack of coherence and integration of policy at different levels of governance. There is activity at the level of the EU, UK Government, Scottish Government, local authorities, local communities, households and civil society, but there is often a disconnection between policies at different levels. This impedes progress and also leads to mistrust among the general public. This paper brings together the background to ten primary recommendations featured in the Inquiry addressing the principal barriers. Above all, it is important to integrate the activities within city regions and to exploit opportunities in local communities. Reflecting on the Inquiry findings, we stress the economic, social and environmental opportunities to be gained from a low-carbon society and outline the step changes that need to take place within governance, city regions and local authorities and civil society.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Society of Edinburgh 2012 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

11. References

Campbell, C. D., Lilly, A., Towers, W., Chapman, S. J., Werritty, A. & Hanley, N. 2012. Land use and a low-carbon society. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 103, 165–73.Google Scholar
DECC. 2009. Heat and Energy Saving Strategy Consultation. (http://hes.decc.gov.uk/consultation/consultation_summary/index.html)Google Scholar
DECC. 2011a. Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity. (http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/white_papers/emr_wp_2011/emr_wp_2011.aspx)Google Scholar
Haines-Young, R. & Potschin, M. 2007. The Ecosystem Concept and the Identification of Ecosystem Goods and Services in the English Policy Context. Review Paper to Defra, Project Code NR0107. 21pp.Google Scholar
Hanley, N. & Brennan, D. 2012. Economics of a low-carbon future. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 103, 149–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawton, J. 2010. Adapting institutions to climate change. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution Report 28. London: the Stationery Office. 169 pp.Google Scholar
Moran, D., Macleod, M., Wall, E., Eory, V., Pajot, G., Matthews, R., McVittie, A., Barnes, R., Rees, B., Moxey, A., Williams, A. & Smith, P. 2008. UK marginal abatement cost curves for the agricultural and land use, land use change and forestry sectors out to 2022, with qualitative analysis of options to 2050. Final Report to the Committee on Climate Change, Report No. RMP4950. Edinburgh, UK: SAC Commercial Ltd. 152pp.Google Scholar
Peters, G. P., Minx, J. C., Weber, C. L. & Edenhofer, O. 2011. Growth in emission transfers via international trade from 1990 to 2008. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108(21), 8903–08.Google Scholar
Royal Society of Edinburgh. 2011. Facing up to climate change: breaking the barriers to a low-carbon Scotland. Report of the Committee of Inquiry, March 2011. 186 pp. Report and evidence collected available on line at www.royalsoced.org.ukGoogle Scholar
SEPA. 2010. Balancing Act: Tapping into Scotland's water environment. SEPAview 46 (Spring 2010). 14pp.Google Scholar
Sullivan, L. 2007. A Low-Carbon Building Strategy for Scotland. Report of a Panel appointed by Scottish Ministers. Livingston, UK: Scottish Building Standards Agency. 48pp.Google Scholar
Thaler, R. H. & Sunstein, C. R. 2008. Nudge: improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness. Newhaven, CT: Yale University Press. 306 pp.Google Scholar
UK Committee on Climate Change. 2010. The fourth carbon budget – reducing emissions through the 2020s. www.theccc.org.ukGoogle Scholar
Valdes, P. 2011. Built for stability; Commentary. Nature Geoscience 4, 414–16.Google Scholar
Webb, J. 2012. Society and a low-carbon future: individual behaviour change or new social values and priorities? Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 103, 157–63.Google Scholar
Werritty, A. & Sugden, D. E. 2012. Climate change and Scotland: recent trends and impacts. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 103, 133–47.Google Scholar