27th March 2026
Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2026-2040 is published
“It is clear that Scotland – and the rest of the world – stands at a crossroads. We must choose the future that we want for ourselves, our children and the generations that will follow. This Climate Change Plan arrives at such a critical moment – as we witness a worrying increase in anti-climate rhetoric, this Government will choose to stand on the side of science. Moreover, we will not let the huge opportunity this represents for us slip by.”
On 24 March, the Scottish Government published ‘Scotland’s Climate Change Plan: 2026-2040’.
The consultation for this Plan closed on 29 January 2026. Click here to read the consultation response from Learning for Sustainability Scotland.
Key points in our response included:
- Publication of the new Climate Change Plan (CCP), in draft form, is welcome; setting out how Scotland will meet its legally-binding target to reach net zero, or neutral emissions, by 2045
- The Plan must set out ambitious, fair actions that we need to tackle the climate crisis and deliver real benefits to our lives.
- Considerable evidence demonstrates that equitable and long-term access to Learning for Sustainability opportunities will be required to ensure a Just Transition for communities and learners of all ages.
- We urge the Scottish Government to include Education and Learning as a Sector in the main body of this Plan, with a focus on actions on Learning for Sustainability; ensuring a holistic, policy-coherent approach across all sectors and areas of sustainability.
- Education, with a Learning for Sustainability ethos, must be strengthened in communities, schools, colleges, universities, professional learning and continuing professional development
- The Education and Learning component of the Action Plan will require meaningful support, including funding and resources to transform learning spaces as well as participatory approaches to education and learning which bring about action on climate and other interconnected challenges.
A place-based approach
We welcome the intention outlined in this Plan stating that “…delivery of this plan will be underpinned by a ‘place-based’ approach tailored to the local social, economic and environmental needs of areas across Scotland rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach which fails to value the diversity of our nation.” Equally welcome is the recognition that “…It is essential that we continue to work collaboratively with our local government delivery partners, industry, community and third sector networks to support place-based climate action that protects people and the planet and realises the economic opportunities of a just transition to net zero.”
“Overall, this analysis demonstrates that the CCP (Climate Change Plan) has the potential to deliver significant and positive societal benefits which will greatly improve people’s lives alongside producing emissions reductions.”
Some of the wider socio-economic benefits of climate action are also recognised, and the inclusion of the need for a just transition is welcomed; as is the recognition of the links between climate change and biodiversity loss, and the need for Scotland to play its part internationally on supporting climate action. A sectoral policy breakdown across elements such as housing, transport, waste, energy, business, land use and agriculture provides a starting point for enabling domestic activity to tackle climate change.
Supporting Scotland’s people to take action on climate change
“For climate action this will mean reflecting a people-centred approach to policy and delivery, which considers the local impacts of the transition to net zero. In doing so, the policies will be supported by engagement, community action and behavioural insights delivered in alignment with the Climate Change Public Engagement Strategy (PES). Co-development of policy implementation will also be undertaken with key delivery partners wherever possible, with a view to have a stronger, place-based dimension to delivery.”
The Scottish Government’s ‘Net Zero Nation: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change’ (PES), published in 2021, outlined a vision where ‘Everyone in Scotland recognises the implications of the global climate emergency, fully understands and contributes to Scotland’s response, and embraces their role in the transition to a net zero and climate ready Scotland.”
A mid-point review of the PES was undertaken in April 2025 and includes a summary and analysis of the key activities delivered up to December 2024.
The PES outlines mechanisms and funding to support pan-sectoral civic action on climate change; such as the national network of Community Climate Action Hubs; the annual Climate Engagement Fund; the national communications campaign ‘Let’s Do Net Zero’; a one-stop-shop’ website for resources and information, (Net Zero Nation); supporting a legacy project to enable members of Scotland’s Climate Assembly to continue to engage in action; funding for the Climate Action Schools programme; Scotland’s annual Climate Week; and the Climate Policy Engagement Network.