THE Scottish Greens today welcomed the publication of Ministers’ consultation on the forthcoming climate change Bill as a good start to the process, but warned that their current proposals do not go far enough.
The 2007 SNP manifesto made a commitment to an 80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 (1), but the Greens back the tougher 90 per cent target proposed by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and others. (2)
Green MSP, Patrick Harvie, said: “This Bill is amongst the most important commitments the Scottish Government has made, and it’s vital that we not only pass the Bill, but make sure it’s as strong as it can be.
The Tyndall Centre reports that cuts of 90 per cent in carbon emissions will be needed by 2050 to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Ministers are aiming for an 80 per cent cut by that date, which is a good start, but their plans do not go far enough. We need to see clear legal duties for Ministers, which Parliament can hold them to each year, and we need the right long term targets.
“But we also need the policies in place which will help reach those targets. This won’t mean just tinkering with policy in transport, energy, housing and agriculture. It will mean nothing less than the transformation of our economy, our society and our politics. A low-carbon, sustainable future is not only possible, it’s necessary and desirable if we want to ensure a good quality of life for future generations here and around the world.”
Notes
1. “In government we will introduce a Climate Change Bill with mandatory carbon reduction targets of three per cent per annum and also set a long-term target of cutting emissions by a minimum of 80 per cent by 2050 – above the UK target of 60 per cent.” See p.29:
http://www.snp.org/policies/our-manifesto/2007-04-12.0866446519/download
2. See the following Tyndall Centre release.
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/media/press_releases/tyndallpr21sep.pdf
James Mackenzie
Media and communications
Scottish Green MSPs
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Tel: 0131 348 6360
Mob: 0790 99 33 074
Fax: 0131 348 5972
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Contact: James Mackenzie
Phone: 0131 348 6360 or 0790 99 33 074
