19
January
2022
Hydrogen Action Plan will ‘let fossil fuels in by the back door’
Environmental campaigners have said that the Scottish Government’s draft Hydrogen Action Plan is a way of ‘sneaking fossil fuels in by the back door’. Friends of the Earth Scotland have responded to a public consultation on the £100million Hydrogen Plan which closes today (19/1/22). Criticisms of the plan include that
17
January
2022
Offshore wind auction reaction
Climate campaigners have welcomed the announcement of offshore wind projects in Scotland but cautioned that successful bidders must not be allowed to evade their responsibilities to communities and workers. Crown Estate Scotland announced the outcome of its application process for Scottish offshore wind leasing. 17 projects h
13
January
2022
Scottish Government route map for reducing car use lack any new measures
Environmental campaigners have slated the Scottish Government’s route map to reduce car use which was published today (13 January), calling it nothing more than a “rehash of existing policies”. The Scottish Government committed to reduce car use in
15
December
2021
New Commission Must Ensure Action on Just Transition
A partnership of Trade Unions and environmental groups(1), has welcomed the announcement of a second Just Transition Commission for which it has long campaigned. It said the time had come to move from words to action and start delivering the Just Transition. It welcomed the inclusion of trade unionists, equality and economic
15
December
2021
DRS delayed again and delivery risks remain
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be delayed for a second time until 16th August 2023, an additional 13 month delay. The Scottish Government has published a delivery plan but risks around VAT and commitment from stakeholders are still challenges that need to be tackled to ensure there are no
10
December
2021
Another “nail in the coffin” for Cambo
Reaction to the announcement by Siccar Point Energy that they have “paused” the Cambo development, following Shell's withdrawal last week. Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Head of Campaigns Mary Church commented:
09
December
2021
Scottish Budget Reaction: ‘useful steps’ on climate emergency
Commenting on the Scottish Government's draft budget published today Friends of the Earth Scotland's Director Dr Richard Dixon said: “This budget takes some useful steps in the right direction on the funding needed to properly tackle the climate crisis, and making that action one of the three stated priorities. "
08
December
2021
New stats reveal Scotland is sending valuable resources up in smoke
Scotland is now burning almost as much of its household waste as it is sending to landfill. Household waste statistics published yesterday (7 December) show a 33.6% increase in waste being incinerated between 2019 and 2020 - that’s an extra 152,000 tonnes burnt in one year. Environmental campaigners have said this is a concern
07
December
2021
Climate progress report calls for Plan B on carbon capture
Commenting on the UK Committee on Climate Change’s report on Scotland’s progress against its commitments, Friends of the Earth Scotland's Director Dr Richard Dixon said: "COP26 reinforced the need to do all we can to keep global temperature rise below 1.5C. The CCC is correct to say meeting this commitment requires transf