Gillian Martin MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy
cabsecfornze@gov.scot
8th May 2025
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
I am writing to highlight the publication of a new Consumer Scotland framework that seeks to support policymakers in engaging consumers in the transition to net zero and adaptation to climate change. It encourages government, regulators and businesses to understand the net zero transition from a consumer perspective.
Enabling consumers to make low carbon choices, including how we heat our homes and how we travel, will play a significant part in responding to the climate emergency. Alongside the environmental benefits, reducing carbon emissions can improve consumer wellbeing through better health, energy
security and economic growth.
However, our research indicates that although consumers support tackling climate change, they can often find taking action themselves too complex, costly or confusing.
Governments, regulators and businesses can address this by designing programmes to achieve net zero that work from a consumer perspective. The Consumer Scotland framework for addressing climate change identifies cost, convenience, clarity and confidence as the four key issues which will
help engage consumers in moving to a more sustainable future.
For each of these issues the framework has set out key tests that must be met to ensure climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, regulation and practice, is focused on consumers and considers the impacts decisions will have on them.
Consumer Scotland intends to work with a range of bodies including the Scottish and UK parliaments, the UK Government, local government and regulators to embed the framework in future decision-making.
I would welcome your views on the framework and how it could assist the Scottish Government in ensuring consumer participation is central to our national response to climate change.
I would also be happy to meet with you and your officials to discuss these issues further.
Sam Ghibaldan
Chief Executive