The Scottish government yesterday scrapped plans to reduce air departure tax by 50 per cent, acknowledging such a move does not align with its ambition to become a net zero emission economy by 2045.

The government had planned to reduce the tax - which will be levied on passengers flying into Scottish airports from 2020 - by 50 per cent, with a view to eventually scrapping it altogether.

But following First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's declaration last week that the country is facing a "climate emergency" and her promise Scotland would lead the UK in cutting carbon emissions, her government U-turned on the policy.

Sturgeon said the decision marks a "signal of intent" to cut emissions faster across the Scottish economy and hinted that further measures, such as action to curb emissions from commuting, could soon follow.

The #ClimateEmergency places a responsibility on us to cut emissions faster. @scotgov is determined to live up to that and the ADT decision is a signal of intent. I hope opposition parties also step up to the plate on policies like workplace parking. https://t.co/ILRRMEYufh

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 7, 2019

In a statement Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said the plans to cut the air tax were "no longer compatible" with the government's plans to tackle climate change, amid fears cutting air tax would boost the number of flights in and out of the country.  

"All parts of government and society have a contribution to make to meeting this challenge," Mackay said. "We continue to support our tourism industry, which is going from strength to strength, and we will work with the sector to develop in a sustainable way.

"We welcome their efforts - and those of the aviation industry - to reduce carbon emissions," he added.

The tax will now be introduced in 2020 as planned, and charged at the full rate for the foreseeable future. Air Passenger Duty will continue to be charged at the current rate in the meantime.

Meanwhile, Sturgeon indicated further plans are afoot to cut the carbon impact of travel in Scotland.

In January the government signed a deal with Green MSPs to support the Holyrood budget, which includes plans to give local authorities the power to introduce workplace parking levies that the Greens hope will encourage more people to use public transport to commute. The levies will usually be charged in the form of a tax on employers, with the amount depending on the number of parking places made available for employees.

Sturgeon said she hoped "opposition parties also step up to plate" to approve such measures at a local level.