When you’re in a hole, it’s time to stop digging
UK and Scottish Governments want maintain the fiction that you can extract as much fossil fuels as you like and still cl...
Ending our dependency on fossil fuels is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.
The Scottish Government has set demanding climate and energy targets, but plans to deliver them are not transformative enough.
Much of our progress in reducing emissions has been as a result of de-industrialisation, and policies to deliver the zero-carbon economy have failed to realise the full potential of decent work in Scotland. Meanwhile, job losses as a result of low oil prices are hurting workers and communities in the North East.
If the transition to a low carbon economy is left to market forces, we risk a repeat of the devastating social dislocation and high unemployment experienced as a result of de-industrialisation and coal mine closures.
Joint Statement on Just Transition
That’s why we are working with our partners – Scottish Trade Union Congress, Communication Workers Union Scotland, Public and Commercial Services Union Scotland, Unite Scotland, Unison Scotland, University and College Union Scotland, WWF Scotland – on industrial policies that can create a Just Transition to a Low Carbon Economy in Scotland.
We have prepared a Joint Statement calling for a Just Transition in Scotland. The Statement voices our shared concern that plans to tackle climate change have been too slow and not ambitious enough, and presses the Scottish Government for bold measures.
The Joint Statement is open to unions and civil society organisations to sign up and support.
Workers Survey
COVID-19, the ongoing oil crisis and the climate emergency are wreaking havoc on workers’ livelihoods. To inform the campaign for a Just Transition, we need to understand the views of workers in the oil and gas industry.
If you work in oil and gas offshore, the supply chain or in connection with the industry this survey is for you. We will use the findings to inform our work and share the stories and views of workers and communities imagining a better life, economy and environment.
Scotland's Response to the Climate Emergency
In June 2020, expert speakers from across our economy and society came together to discuss how emissions could be reduced in key sectors at a pace to meet international climate commitments while building a fairer Scotland.
Presentations were recorded and you can catch up on the discussions in buildings, energy, circular economy, transport, agriculture, land use and marine and industry.
No new oil & gas!
The Scottish Government and the UK Parliament have declared a climate emergency. But real climate leadership means making difficult decisions now.
It means saying no to new oil and gas in the North Sea, cancelling the current and future licensing rounds.
It also means massively expanding renewable energy, creating decent jobs, and protecting the rights and livelihoods of workers and communities currently dependent on high carbon industries.
SeaChange Report
Our major new report has revealed UK’s oil and gas drilling plans, and Scottish Government’s support for them, are incompatible with responding to the climate emergency.
The research also shows that, with the right policies and support, clean industries could create more than three jobs for every oil and gas job at risk.
It lays out the policies the Scottish and UK Government’s should be prioritising to make the transition happen in a way that is fair to workers and communities.
Scottish National Investment Bank
Scotland is about to get a brand new public bank – but what kind of bank will it turn out to be?
Instead of funding more business-as-usual, this new public bank could make the critical difference in funding a just transition to a zero-carbon economy in Scotland.
Find out why this bank must work for the common good.