EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 28 (UPI) -- The Scottish government said increased investment in a low-carbon economy indicates it is doing more than its fair share to combat climate change.
Scotland has one of the most ambitious climate agendas in the world, aiming to generate all of its domestic electricity needs from renewable resources by 2020.
Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said the government was investing $3 million to support a project designed to make street lighting more efficient. Wheelhouse said a pilot project already cut local energy costs by more than half.
"Scotland can be justifiably proud of the progress made and achievements to date and we have strong foundations to build on but we are committed to doing more and we will work tirelessly with businesses and public sector organizations," he said in a Thursday statement.
The Scottish government said unconventional strategies like low-carbon street lighting are contributing to its energy goals. From 2010 to 2011, Scottish emissions declined 9.9 percent when compared to a 1998 benchmark.
A joint report from the British and Scottish governments published in May said renewable energy development on the Scottish Islands would go a long way to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom by 80 percent by 2050.
