The Scottish government is “unlikely” to meet its 2030 climate change target to reduce car use due to a “lack of leadership”, according to public spending watchdogs.
Stephen Boyle, auditor general for Scotland, and the Accounts Commission said “minimal progress” had been made to cut kilometres driven by 20% since the pledge in 2020.
The report – prepared by Audit Scotland – blamed a “lack of leadership” and said the government had yet to produce a delivery plan for achieving the goal.
First Minister John Swinney last year insisted the target could still be met, but Transport Scotland admitted the nation “has still got some way to go”.
Mr Boyle said: “The Scottish government set an ambitious and very challenging target to reduce car use by 20% by 2030.
“But there has been a lack of leadership around delivering this goal.
“It’s now unlikely the government will achieve its ambition, so it needs to be clear how this will affect its wider ambitions to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.”
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The target was introduced during the COVID pandemic when levels of car traffic had decreased significantly.
Audit Scotland said since 2020, vehicle traffic has increased to near pre-pandemic levels, public transport use has reduced, and there has been no significant change in how much people walk and cycle.
The independent public spending watchdog said in order to achieve the target, car traffic levels would need to decrease by 7.3 billion kilometres to 29.3 billion.
The last time car use was at this level was in 1994.
‘Clearer guidance needed’
Audit Scotland said spending by councils and the Scottish government on reducing car use “is complex, fragmented and lacks transparency”.
Ruth MacLeod, a member of the Accounts Commission, said: “All parts of government need to act to deliver the 2030 car use reduction target.
“Councils need to set out to what extent they will contribute and how they will measure their progress.
“But they also need clearer guidance and direction from the Scottish government to agree their role in reducing car use in their area.”
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In April last year, the Scottish government ditched its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 after accepting it was “out of reach”.
However, its “unwavering commitment” to achieve net zero by 2045 remains.
A pilot scheme scrapping peak-time ScotRail fares was axed last year, with Transport Scotland saying the £40m price tag could not be justified as the trial “did not achieve its aims” of encouraging more people to swap their cars for rail travel.
Following the decision in August, Mr Swinney said he believed the 2030 target could still be met but would require “changes in behaviour from members of the public”.
‘A wake-up call’
Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said the report “must serve as a wake-up call”.
He added: “Part of the challenge is the extortionate cost of transport.
“By introducing cheaper bus and train fares we can encourage people to make the switch to greener alternatives and to leave their car at home.”
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‘Scotland has still got some way to go’
Transport Scotland said it would consider the report’s recommendations while working with council body COSLA, as well as regional transport and local authority partners.
It said the 2025-26 budget would invest £263m into sustainable travel, low carbon and climate positive activities to support the switch away from vehicle use.
A spokesperson added: “Reducing Scotland’s reliance on cars and encouraging a shift towards public transport and active travel is a crucial step in meeting our climate targets.
“It also mirrors the thinking which is under way across the world in terms of reducing emissions and creating greener, healthier and more enjoyable environments for people and communities.
“We recognise that Scotland has still got some way to go to transition from private vehicles and towards more sustainable public transport – and cross-party support at all levels of government is key.”
