Scotland has a target to achieve NZ by 2045, which is ahead of many countries including the UK whose target to reach NZ is 2050. Scotland has an interim target of a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 90% by 2040, both relative to 1990 levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and 1995 levels of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride.
Scottish Government also recognises the need to adapt to Climate Change. During the identification, design and development of decarbonisation options, there is a range of Climate Adaptation co-benefits that can be achieved - dependent on the decarbonisation option(s) selected. These are largely linked to Building Level Benefits (see section 8.3) but could result in better resilience to changing temperatures (particular hotter summers), resilience to severe weather and adaptation to changing amounts and frequencies of rainfall.