The Scottish government has decided to abandon its ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, due to its unattainability (BBC, Reuters). The decision was prompted by a report from the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC), which deemed the target unattainable. Despite this setback, Scotland maintains its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 (BBC, Reuters). 

Environmental groups and the CCC expressed disappointment, emphasizing the importance of interim targets for credibility (Reuters). The move is seen as a setback for the Scottish National Party and Scottish Greens, who were previously hailed for their climate leadership (BBC). The origins of the targets date back to 2019, when Scotland passed legislation to accelerate decarbonization efforts, spurred by global climate activism (BBC, Reuters). However, the failure to meet annual targets and the complexities of influencing emissions trends have led to a reassessment of the approach. 

The decision follows a trend of political maneuvering around climate goals, with the British government recently pushing back on certain targets (BBC). Instead of yearly targets, a shift toward broader "carbon budgets" akin to those used by the United Kingdom (UK) and Welsh governments might be adopted (BBC). While Scotland's targets were more ambitious than those of the UK as a whole, the decision reflects broader challenges in aligning climate ambitions with political and economic realities.