23
November
2020
Money starts to flow from Scottish Government Bank despite lack of ethical or green checks
The Scottish Government’s new Scottish National Investment Bank has begun lending to the private sector despite not yet having confirmed any ethical standards or missions, both of which are required by law. Its first investment, “MSquared”, provides products to the defence and fossil fuel industries. MSquared’s websit
17
November
2020
Response to the UK 10-point climate plan for net zero
Friends of the Earth Scotland gave a scathing reaction to the UK Government’s announcement of a 10-point plan on climate and energy, calling for much more priority on solutions which can reduce emissions and create jobs today. Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Director, Dr Richard Dixon, said: “This much-trailed 10-poi
16
November
2020
UN Climate Conference – sponsorship deal looks like greenwash
Environmental campaigners have responded to the announcement of the first sponsors for the UN COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in 2021. Among them is SSE, recently identified as Scotland’s single biggest polluter in 2019, due to the 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted by the energy company's gas-fired power station a
09
November
2020
Scottish Government using £500mill bus cash to stop Councils competing against private bus companies
The Scottish Government today (10 November 2020) announced plans for a £500m bus infrastructure fund, but campaigners say this money is being used to prevent regulation and stifle competition. The Bus Partnership Fund, first announced in September 2019’s Programme for Government, will pay for things such as bus lanes on tr
05
November
2020
University of Dundee to quit fossil fuel investments
The University of Dundee became the latest organisation in Scotland to withdraw their investments from fossil fuel companies on environmental grounds today. (1) The an
12
October
2020
Tackling single use plastic is good news for the climate
Environmental campaigners have welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is launching a public consultation on the banning of several single-use plastic items such as plastic straws and cutlery and polystyrene food containers. Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Plastic and Circular Economy Campaigner Sarah Moyes said:
08
October
2020
Aberdeen has a chance for clean air and a better city, say campaigners
The proposals from Aberdeen City Council for a Low Emission Zone have been welcomed by campaigners, who say they have the potential to transform the city’s air pollution problems. The Council is consulting on different options for a Low Emission Zone, which restricts the most polluting vehicles to protect health. Zones are
01
October
2020
Revealed: Oil companies secret push to co-opt Glasgow Climate Summit
CULTURE UNSTAINED & FRIENDS OF THE EARTH SCOTLAND RELEASE * Emails reveal attempts by BP, Shell and Equinor to sponsor COP26 climate summit and influence its agenda behind the scenes * Alok Sharma urged to rule out fossil fuel industry from selection process for COP26 sponsorship deals * Campaigners vow to oust big
29
September
2020
81% of Offshore Oil and Gas Workers Open to Leaving the Industry
Major survey of offshore oil and gas workers reveals that four in five would consider moving to work in another industry. Workers’ biggest concern for their future career path is job security, with respondents citing low morale and fears that their community will become a ‘wasteland region’.