Scotland sets emissions policy precedent

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Scottish government's Climate Change Bill is one of the most progressive in the world.

The new legislation sets the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, which is not any stricter than the U.K. policy. It is the inclusion of aviation emissions that puts Scotland ahead on emissions controls.

Also to the joy of environmentalists in the country, all six gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect will be limited, and there are measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste.

To meet Scotland's 2050 target, greenhouse gases will need to be reduced by 3 percent each year. Over the last 18 months, however, there has been a reduction of only 1.3 percent per year.