Scotland’s rail prepares for climate breakdown while government abandons emissions target | New Civil Engineer

The funding under Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail’s Climate Ready Plan was announced on 17 April, meanwhile, on 18 April, the Scottish Government confirmed reports that it would be abandoning its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.

The Climate Ready Plan is part of Network Rail Scotland’s Control Period 7 (CP7) and says it will invest over £100M in earthworks, £100M in lineside infrastructure including drainage and over £40M in structures like bridges and tunnels.

CP7 is already underway, running from April 2024 to March 2029, and Network Rail said it had already invested in climate resilience over recent years.

It pointed to the establishment in Scotland of the British railway’s first 24/7 specialist weather desk which is analysing the real-time impacts of extreme weather on the railway, the deployment of remote sensing equipment to monitor for landslips, and river level monitors and scour telemetry to keep an eye on bridges and drainage assets.

The railway owner said the Climate Ready Plan “lays the groundwork for development of a longer-term adaptation strategy for managing the risks associated with changes in Scotland’s climate”.

Network Rail Scotland director of engineering and asset management Alan Ross said: “We know that our climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, and that this is having an impact on Scotland’s Railway.

“In our current climate – which is already warmer and wetter – we know that extreme weather events can impact our railway in a way that causes disruption for our customers.

“Our plan will look at how we can implement new and improved climate science and adaptation capabilities that will strengthen our decision-making processes and help us manage our changing climate in the future.”

ScotRail safety and sustainability director David Lister said: “Our vision is to deliver a safe, sustainable, inclusive and accessible railway for Scotland.

“Climate resilience is a strategic priority for Scotland’s Railway, and this plan will keep track and train working together to ensure Scotland’s Railway is adapting to the impacts of climate change while targeting actions that enable the continued safe operation of the railway and reduce the disruption climate change can cause.”

Sniffer describes itself as a sustainability strategy, and it is part of Adaptation Scotland which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Sniffer head of climate ready leadership and Adaptation Scotland manager Jonny Casey said: “Our climate is changing, and while some of these changes are avoidable, other consequences are now unavoidable.

“We need to adapt to live well with present and future impacts. Scotland’s Railway is central to connecting our places, and a vital system for business and leisure transport on which many other services depend.

“We are delighted to see Scotland’s Railway take such a leading role in Scotland’s infrastructure resilience planning.

“This work will help ensure the railways are able to adapt to our changing climate as well as inspiring action from peers and partners across Scotland through Network Rail’s membership of the Adaptation Scotland public sector climate adaptation network.”

Scottish Government abandons climate target

Scotland’s cabinet secretary for wellbeing economy, net zero and energy Mairi McAllan announced that the nation will abandon its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

The BBC described the move as an “embarrassing retreat” and indicated that the SNP’s government coalition partners the Scottish Greens had been over-ambitious in their own climate action plans.

On the afternoon of 18 April, McAllan delivered a statement to the Scottish Parliament and started by apologising for the media having got the announcement before parliament has.

McAllan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2045 and said the  CCC are a “key partner” and described its insights as “essential.”

She also said Scotland is becoming a “renewables powerhouse” and is already halfway to net zero and ahead of the rest of the UK on the journey to decarbonisation.

There had been high hopes for decarbonisation in Scotland, after it hosted the COP26 climate talks and set stretching climate targets following the wave of protests led by activists like Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate.

In March, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) – the official independent advisors to the UK Government and devolved administrations – said Scotland’s 2030 target was no longer viable.

In reaction to McAllan’s statement, CCC interim chair Prof Piers Forster said: “The removal of Scotland’s 2030 target, announced by the Scottish Government today, is deeply disappointing.

“We are reassured that the net zero target remains in place but interim targets and plans to deliver against them are what makes any net zero commitment credible.

“They are essential for enabling a stable transition that protects jobs and the welfare of citizens and provides new opportunities. Long-term planning is vital for businesses, citizens, and future parliaments. Today that has been undermined.

“The committee urges the Scottish Government to lay and deliver against new commitments as soon as possible.”

Like what you’ve read? To receive New Civil Engineer’s daily and weekly newsletters click here.