Speaking at a conference on creating a low-carbon economy, Susie Gledhill, head of the Climate Change Bill team, said man-made climate change was real - "not a matter for debate on Channel 4" - and action was needed. She said officials were trying to work out ways Scotland could cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, but it would take a collective effort.
Ms Gledhill warned: "The 80% target is incredibly ambitious - we want to go down to 20% of 1990 emissions. If you imagine trying to squeeze the juice of a lemon or an orange, its the juice out of the last bit thats the most difficult."
She told the conference, organised by consultants BRE, that the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which concluded it was more than 90% sure that human activity was causing global warming, had ended any doubt of the need to act.
"It is not a matter for debate on Channel 4, it really is the last word. The climate really is changing and it is man-made," Ms Gledhill said. "Tackling climate change isnt just down to what central government can do, it is down to collective action."
She added: "Business is really key to try to tackle climate change. There will always be times when there are things that are crucial and you cannot share with competitors but there are a number of things that are just best practice about how you need to incentivise staff to switch off computers and lights and car-sharing schemes."
Asked about the potential economic consequences of the drive to cut greenhouse gases, she said the Scottish Government was "very aware" of this issue. "We have to be practical about where it is appropriate for us to take a lead," she said.
Robin Tough, head of workplace strategy and design at financial giant HBOS, said the company had cut its UK carbon emissions from 163,000 tonnes in 2004 to 57,000 in 2006.
However, he said small and medium-sized firms needed help to cut their emissions.
"There appears to have been a culture shift to accepting climate change as a reality. Does there need to be a further shift? Its all very well believing in this problem, we also need to believe in the solutions."
Ross Peedle, group design director at construction firm Stewart Milne Group, which recently unveiled an eco-friendly home, said the firm was developing a commercially viable house that provided all its own power.
But he asked the Scottish Government to be realistic about changes to building standards. A carbon-zero home, he said, would cost about £60,000 to £70,000 extra to make.
"We have to ask how this fits with improving house affordability, which is not only a stated aim of government, but something the housing industry is concerned about. It doesnt seem to fit at all," he said.
Ms Gledhill warned: "The 80% target is incredibly ambitious - we want to go down to 20% of 1990 emissions. If you imagine trying to squeeze the juice of a lemon or an orange, its the juice out of the last bit thats the most difficult."
She told the conference, organised by consultants BRE, that the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which concluded it was more than 90% sure that human activity was causing global warming, had ended any doubt of the need to act.
"It is not a matter for debate on Channel 4, it really is the last word. The climate really is changing and it is man-made," Ms Gledhill said. "Tackling climate change isnt just down to what central government can do, it is down to collective action."
She added: "Business is really key to try to tackle climate change. There will always be times when there are things that are crucial and you cannot share with competitors but there are a number of things that are just best practice about how you need to incentivise staff to switch off computers and lights and car-sharing schemes."
Asked about the potential economic consequences of the drive to cut greenhouse gases, she said the Scottish Government was "very aware" of this issue. "We have to be practical about where it is appropriate for us to take a lead," she said.
Robin Tough, head of workplace strategy and design at financial giant HBOS, said the company had cut its UK carbon emissions from 163,000 tonnes in 2004 to 57,000 in 2006.
However, he said small and medium-sized firms needed help to cut their emissions.
"There appears to have been a culture shift to accepting climate change as a reality. Does there need to be a further shift? Its all very well believing in this problem, we also need to believe in the solutions."
Ross Peedle, group design director at construction firm Stewart Milne Group, which recently unveiled an eco-friendly home, said the firm was developing a commercially viable house that provided all its own power.
But he asked the Scottish Government to be realistic about changes to building standards. A carbon-zero home, he said, would cost about £60,000 to £70,000 extra to make.
"We have to ask how this fits with improving house affordability, which is not only a stated aim of government, but something the housing industry is concerned about. It doesnt seem to fit at all," he said.
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