Climate Bill must scale up Scottish action by 2030

Ahead of an appearance at the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee today, environmental campaigners have called on the Scottish Parliament to scale up Scotland’s climate change targets for 2030.

Friends of the Earth Scotland Climate Campaigner Caroline Rance, who will be giving evidence on the Scottish Government’s Climate Bill said,

“Coming hot on the heels of the landmark IPCC climate report, Scotland has an opportunity now to increase our climate action and set an international example. The Committee needs to recommend that the new climate law scales up targets and action within the next decade. The science is clear that cutting emissions in the period between now and 2030 is is crucial if we are to avoid further devastating impacts like those we see in California right now. “

“By pledging more action immediately we can deliver benefits across Scottish society including healthier citizens in warm homes, cleaner, quicker transport and support for farming that enhances our environment. By acting sooner, we will better protect Scotland, ensure we reap the benefits of the transition to the zero carbon economy and do our fair share of the collective efforts needed to avert disaster.”

“We are part of an international network and our colleagues around the world are experiencing the terrifying reality of climate impacts right now. Scotland needs to live up to our moral responsibility to make the changes necessary as a wealthy country that has historically benefitted from the fossil fuels that are driving climate breakdown.”

The Scottish Government’s proposed target for emissions reductions by 2030 is 66%. This is only a marginal increase from original targets agreed almost a decade ago. In this time the climate crisis has become more severe and the need for action more pressing.

Rance continued,

“The Scottish Government’s Climate Bill fails to deliver the ‘rapid and far-reaching transitions’ the that the recent IPCC report says is necessary. The Bill doesn’t commit to the action necessary to limit dangerous warming to 1.5C, it doesn’t deliver on the Paris Agreement, and it doesn’t deliver on Nicola Sturgeon’s promise to ensure that Scotland plays our full part in tackling this global problem.”

“The Scottish Government has so far chosen to listen to the 1% of respondents who backed their plans at public consultation, rather than the 99% of respondents who wanted to see more urgent action and an end to our contribution to climate change.
ENDS