20
August
2019
Hunterston B nuclear reactor to restart
One of the two current reactors at the Hunterston B nuclear power plant will restart after it was shut down last year due to cracks in graphite bricks in the reactor cores. Another reactor was not granted permission by the regulator to restart. Dr Richard Dixon Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland commented, "Nuclear
09
August
2019
UN Climate Conference brings scrutiny to Scotland
The President for the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP26) Claire Perry MP today announced that the next conference would be held in Glasgow in late 2020, assuming that the UK is confirmed as host country. Commenting on the news, Friends of the Earth Scotland Dr Richard Dixon said: "We welcome the United N
08
August
2019
Reaction to UN Report on land and climate change
United Nations climate experts, the IPPC, have today (Thursday 8 August) released a Special Report on Climate Change and Land which explores how the way we use our land contributes to climate change and how climate change affects our land. Key findings from the report: *Managing land more sustainably is vital to address th
23
July
2019
Prime Minister Johnson must make Climate Emergency his priority
Responding to the announcement that Boris Johnson has been chosen as leader of the Conservative Party, Friends of the Earth Scotland Head of Campaigns Mary Church commented, “Boris Johnson's number one priority as Prime Minister must be tackling the climate emergency. Deep, systemic changes must be delivered to bring down c
19
July
2019
Lacklustre pollution plans mean cars will choke Edinburgh public for years to come, say campaigners
Environmental campaigners have criticised the Low Emission Zone plans from City of Edinburgh Council, as a public consultation draws to a close this Sunday (21st July). Friends of the Earth Scotland has criticised the Council for proposals that they say will do very little to tackle the air pollution that is damaging public heal
11
July
2019
New Oil and Gas Licensing Round Goes Beyond Climate Breakdown
Commenting on the launch of a new offshore oil and gas licensing round today by the UK's Oil and Gas Authority: Mary Church, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “L
19
June
2019
MSPs back Workplace Parking Levy Powers: Welcome news for climate and air pollution
Campaigners welcomed news that MSPs today (19/6/19) voted in favour of giving powers to councils to implement a Workplace Parking Levy. The Scottish Parliament's Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee passed an amendment during Stage 2 of the Transport Bill. The powers would allow councils to introduce a Workplace Par
14
June
2019
Climate protests as Glasgow Council refuses to change path on fossil fuel investment
Pension fund members and local residents will today (14/6/19) gather outside the Annual General Meeting of the £20 billion Strathclyde Pension Fund to protest against its investments in companies driving climate change. The Strathclyde Pension Fund is estimated to be investing £800 million in fossil fuel companies, despite
13
June
2019
MSPs vote down Safer Streets Bill
Campaigners today (Thursday 13th June) lambasted MSPs as the Scottish Parliament voted down the ‘Safer Streets’ bill, which would have reduced the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph. The Private Members Bill from Mark Ruskell MSP was not supported by the Scottish Government, and received 26 votes in favour, 83 against,