Scotland green energy offsets 12m tonnes of CO2

The reduction – an average of around a million tonnes a month – is the highest ever recorded in Scotland and a 14% increase on 2012.

Joss Blamire, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “This means that not only are renewables now the number one source of electricity in Scotland, but we have achieved this milestone while preventing a record amount of harmful carbon emissions from being released into our atmosphere.

“Renewable energy in Scotland is doing exactly what it was designed to do: creating jobs, securing our energy supplies and, most importantly, reducing our carbon emissions to help limit climate change.”

Renewable revolution

Separate figures released on Monday (8 December) by WWF Scotland, reveal that wind turbines generated approximately 812,890MWh of electricity to the National Grid in November, meeting the electricity demands of 107% of Scottish households.

Speaking from Lima, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “That renewables in Scotland are now helping to displace almost a million tonnes of climate pollution every month is fantastic news, and proof that a renewable power sector is the foundation of a truly low carbon economy – keeping the lights on, creating jobs and cutting emissions.

“Right now, governments from almost 200 countries are meeting in Peru to agree how they will reduce global emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The growing success of renewables in helping to cut emissions both in Scotland and across Europe is exactly what is needed right now to help encourage other countries to secure a good deal on climate.” 

Some news worth sharing… Scotland’s renewable revolution sets shining example for Lima #COP20 http://t.co/5bQS9gC9b7 pic.twitter.com/j7HVA1golC

— Lang Banks, WWF (@LangBanks) December 10, 2014

Brad Allen