Knowledge Tree
Scotland
Facts (33)
Sources
Navigating Tensions in Just Energy Transitions kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu Aug 20, 2025 27 facts
referenceScotland operates under 'partial devolution,' which is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of the United Kingdom to govern at a subnational level, as defined by Leeke et al. (2003).
claimPartial devolution of power means that sub-state actors often lack the authority to implement all necessary levers for a Just Transition, such as the inability of Scottish authorities to intervene in energy markets to mitigate fuel poverty.
claimKirsten E. H. Jenkins is a senior lecturer in energy, environment, and society within the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a 2024-2025 Kleinman Center Visiting Scholar.
referenceDrabble et al. (2024) established a national Just Transition evaluation and monitoring framework for Scotland, which is noted as one of the first of its kind internationally.
measurementScotland aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, which is five years ahead of the UK-wide target.
claimScotland established the Just Transition Commission to focus on ensuring equity in its energy transition.
claimThe partial devolution of powers to Scotland shares similarities with the federal and state system in the United States, as both involve a division of responsibilities between different levels of government that creates both opportunities and tensions in policy implementation.
claimThe relationship between the United States federal government and sub-national governments involves significant interdependencies, similar to the relationship between the UK and Scotland, creating opportunities to share best practices and advocate for collective outcomes.
claimThe Just Transition in Scotland is currently positioned within a generic and aspirational policy framework rather than an operational implementation approach, pending the publication of the final Energy Strategy and Just Transition plan and granular sectoral plans, which are anticipated in 2025.
referenceGhaleigh, N.S., S. Haszeldine, K. Jenkins, C. Bucke, K. Fairhurst, A. Sihota, and A. Sweeney authored a 2021 study titled 'The Future is Built on the Past: Just Industrial and Energy Transitions in the UK and Scotland' published by the University of Edinburgh.
claimConflicts arise when national energy policies contradict or fail to support regional goals, such as Scotland's ambitious climate targets or US states' aggressive renewable portfolio standards.
claimThe national Just Transition evaluation and monitoring framework for Scotland can be scaled down to local or regional applications, allowing for the prioritization of specific outcomes and the selection of appropriate data at those levels.
claimChallenges in Scottish energy policy and Just Transition efforts persist due to overlapping jurisdictions, reliance on UK-controlled funding mechanisms, and constraints in shaping national energy policies.
claimThe relationship between the US federal government and sub-national governments contains interdependencies similar to those between the UK and Scotland, offering opportunities to share best practices and advocate for collective outcomes through mechanisms like a Just Transition taskforce with cross-US representation.
accountThe policy digest 'Navigating Tensions in Just Energy Transitions' summarizes key findings from research projects and engagements with UK policy officials, focusing on the United Kingdom and specifically Scotland as a devolved nation.
claimResearch in Scotland frames fuel poverty as a Just Transition issue, extending the scope of the framework beyond concerns for fossil fuel workers.
claimThe partial devolution of energy issues to Scotland has allowed the Scottish Government to play a proactive role in shaping its energy transition policies.
claimThe closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery is expected to contribute significantly to Scotland’s climate targets, but it has raised concerns regarding the retention of jobs and skills for the impacted workers.
referenceScotland has developed a national Just Transition evaluation and monitoring framework, which is one of the first of its kind internationally.
referenceGhaleigh et al. (2021) examined industrial and energy transitions in the UK and Scotland, arguing that the future is built on the past.
perspectiveNational emissions targets and oil and gas transition priorities in Scotland are in contention with local prosperity in the Grangemouth area.
referenceThe authors of the research developed a national Just Transition evaluation and monitoring framework for Scotland that links presenting problems, mechanisms for change, clusters of desirable outcomes, and the ultimate aim of the transition.
referenceFeltrin, L., A. Mah, and D. Brown authored the 2022 article 'Noxious deindustrialization: Experiences of precarity and pollution in Scotland’s petrochemical capital' published in Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space 40(4), 950–969.
referenceThe Scottish Government published 'Tackling fuel poverty in Scotland: a strategic approach' in 2021 to address fuel poverty.
measurementAs of 2023, 34% of the Scottish population were fuel poor, with 18.5% experiencing extreme fuel poverty, and this figure rises to 44% for remote rural households.
measurementGrangemouth, an industrial cluster located on the Firth of Forth 40 kilometers west of Edinburgh, Scotland, produced approximately 6% of Scotland’s total emissions as of 2021.
referenceThe Just Transition Commission published 'Just Transition Commission: A national mission for a fairer, greener Scotland' in 2021, outlining a mission for Scotland's transition.
Global overview of dietary outcomes and dietary intake assessment ... link.springer.com Aug 21, 2021 1 fact
referenceLawrie T., Matheson C., Ritchie L., Murphy E., and Bond C. authored 'The health and lifestyle of Scottish fishermen: a need for health promotion', published in Health Education Research in 2004, volume 19, issue 4, pages 373–379.
Energy Transition Literature - PSU Center for Energy Law and Policy celp.psu.edu May 20, 2024 1 fact
referenceKrawchenko, T.A. and Gordon, M. (2022) examine interventions employed in regions facing industrial transitions, specifically analyzing case studies of oil and gas regions in New Zealand, Scotland, and Denmark to determine how transitions can be managed fairly for workers and communities.
5.9.1: Kingdom Plantae - Evolution and Phylogeny bio.libretexts.org Nov 24, 2025 1 fact
claimThe Rhynie chert, a sedimentary rock deposit found in Rhynie, Scotland, contains embedded fossils of some of the earliest vascular plants.
Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies cfr.org Sep 10, 2025 1 fact
accountEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with U.S. President Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland in late July to negotiate a trade deal.
Measurement of diets that are healthy, environmentally sustainable ... frontiersin.org 1 fact
claimThe economic benefits of reduced meat consumption in Scotland depend on local spending of food savings to generate economic multipliers, rather than relying solely on reduced healthcare spending.
The SAGE Handbook of Play and Learning in Early Childhood sk.sagepub.com 1 fact
claimChristine Stephen is a Research Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Stirling, Scotland, whose research focuses on children's learning in the early years and how this is supported in preschool settings and at home.