~ Scottish Progress Report 2025 highlights challenges to achieving net zero ~

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s response to the Climate Change Committee’s Scottish Progress Report 2025, highlighting growing recognition of the role of workforce transition and industrial capability in delivering net zero. However, these long-term climate ambitions rely on a clear and co-ordinated skills strategy.

The Scottish Government’s response sets out commitments to support workers, businesses and communities through the transition, including investment in reskilling programmes and the development of Just Transition Plans. It also reinforces the importance of industrial decarbonisation, with continued backing for carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen technologies and low-carbon industrial clusters.

The response also highlights the scale of economic opportunity associated with the transition, including the creation of new industries and jobs across Scotland.

These priorities reflect long-standing recommendations from engineering industry bodies, including IChemE, who have consistently called for workforce readiness and technical capability to be placed at the centre of climate policy. Chemical and process engineering will play a central role in delivering these technologies, from industrial decarbonisation to resource-efficient manufacturing.

“The commitments from the Scottish Government on net zero delivery is encouraging, including around reskilling, industrial transition and regional investment, which align with many of IChemE’s priorities,” explains Mitchell Clark, Head of Policy & Impact at IChemE.

“While recognition of workforce transition requirements is welcome, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the skills pipeline as delivery progresses. Pressure on STEM provision, alongside the need to support vocational and technician-level pathways, underline the importance of a coordinated approach,” Clark added.

Find out more about IChemE’s approach to skills and the circular economy by visiting its website.