New coal at Hunterston a threat to climate and Scotttish reputation

A new coal fired power station at Hunterston would have serious environmental impacts, and lead to a significant increase in overall Scottish emissions.

Today Friends of the Earth Scotland, supported by Friends of the Earth groups around the world, handed in their formal objections to the Hunterston planning application.

The Hunterston proposal should primarily be rejected because it would increase emissions of greenhouse gases and is incompatible with the targets and duties established by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act.

Annual emissions from the plant could total as much as 70% of Scotland’s 2050 target level. Government approval of such a development would have a seriously demotivating effect on people’s drive to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

The proposal would also not benefit local jobs creation in an area relying on tourism. Research shows that renewables and energy conservation already offer better employment opportunities than coal.

Duncan McLaren, Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive, said:

“The world is clearly looking to Scotland to make the right decisions in terms of following up the world’s first climate change law with appropriate action.

“Approval of Hunterston would not only be harmful the climate, but damage Scotland’s international position and leadership on climate change legislation.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

The objections have been supported by Nnimmo Bassey, FoE Nigeria and chair of Friends of the Earth International, Magda Stoczkiewicz, Director of FoE Europe, and the following Friends of the Earth member organisations:

Magda Stoczkiewicz, Director of Friends of the Earth Europe Andy Vermaut, board member, Friends of the Earth Flanders and Brussels Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director ERA (Friends of the Earth Nigeria), Chair Friends of the Earth International Ricardo Navarro, President CESTA (Friends of the Earth El Salvador) Klitos Papastylianou, CJE Sovereignty Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Cyprus Cam Walker, Climate Justice Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Australia Lucia Ortiz, General Co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth Brazil Bobby Peek, Groundwork, Friends of the Earth South Africa Liliane Spendeler, Environmental Director, Amigos de la Tierra Espana Rikke Rasmussen, Communications Officer, NOAH (Friends of the Earth Denmark) Anabela A Lemos, Director, Justica Ambiental, Friends of the Earth Mozambique Helen Wolfson, International Co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s objections are based on updated research from Garrad Hassan, to be published shortly, following up on last year’s Power of Scotland Renewed report. This report shows that it is possible to have a clean, green energy supply in Scotland. By 2030 renewable energy can meet between 60% and 143% of Scotland’s projected annual electricity demand, depending of the level of investment in energy saving and new renewables. www.foe-scotland.org.uk/powerofscotlandrenewed

Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future. We think globally and act locally in Scotland, delivering solutions to climate change by enabling and empowering people to take both individual and collective action. We offer help to people with the big things in life – helping to sustain a healthy society and environment. We believe that all of our children’s futures will be better because of what we do. www.foe-scotland.org.uk