Energy expert urges emission control for Scotland

Giving evidence to the Economy and Fair Work Committee on Wednesday 7 January 2026 on the Draft Climate Change Plan published by the Scottish Government, Professor de Leeuw called for a clear focus to make progress fast: “The UK Government has mission control; what Scotland needs is emission control. We need a team that looks at nothing else but emissions on an annual and five-year basis.”

Professor de Leeuw warned that the Scottish Government’s plan will require multi-year funding over 20 – 25 years. He said: “A plan without money is not a plan – it’s just hope.”

His recommendation is that a Scottish Emission Control should focus on five-year windows and prioritise activity to make the biggest difference fast. He said: “When I read the Draft Climate Change Plan, I had an IKEA moment: I know what the starting point is (a flat-pack), I know what the end point looks like (net zero) – but missing is the instructions and the plan in the middle. If we want to have something credible, then we need to make sure we manage the journey and have a credible plan in the middle."

Professor de Leeuw shared three observations on the draft plan:

• It is better described as an ‘emissions reduction framework’ – there are a lot of elements that are not covered, including resilience and adaptation
• There is a lot of detail, but it’s not clear who pays for what, who gets what benefit and who is going to do what. It is important for business and industry that we are very clear about what we are asking companies and organisations to do.
• The cumulative impact on business and industry and consumers is unclear – we need to think through how we prioritise and make it happen, so we can understand how this will play out and support with multi-year funding.

Professor de Leeuw emphasised that the funding required is large-scale – the actions required cannot be delivered all at the same time but need to be prioritised. Otherwise, money will be spread too thinly.

He went on to explain the importance of keeping the wellbeing of citizens at the heart of decision-making: “Improving the welfare and wellbeing of Scottish citizens has to be at the heart of Climate Action. Whatever we put in place cannot jeopardise the fundamentals of what it’s all about. We can get to Net Zero and have no economy and no jobs. It has to be about finding the right balance, the right outcome, doing it in the right way, and getting the right outcome for the people. We have to carry society with us.”

Professor Paul de Leeuw was clear on the importance of carbon capture as part of this equation: “There are six industrial clusters in the UK but only one in Scotland. The Acorn Project and the Scottish cluster – but if we’re really serious and we want to play, then we need to make sure we have all the tools in the toolbox. That has to include carbon capture and storage.”