Climate prediction means Government must ramp up action now

Newly released figures from the Met Office show that the last 4 years have the been the warmest ever on record, and the decade from 2014 to 2023 is forecast to be the hottest run of years since records began. [1]

The Scottish Government’s draft Climate Bill fails to increase action in the crucial next decade to 2030.[2] This is despite the recent stark warnings from the IPCC, and over 19,000 people in Scotland responding to the Bill consultation calling for more ambition and the policies to deliver on it. [3]

Friends of the Earth Scotland Climate campaigner Caroline Rance says

“Every year these warnings get worse, yet another year goes by without any truly serious action to tackle the climate crisis. How many more of these stories do we need before our governments respond with the urgency needed?

“The science is clear, if we continue burning fossil fuels as we currently do, this decade will be the hottest on record. We know that will be devastating for the lives, homes and livelihoods of millions around the world, including here in Scotland where there will be serious hardship for our farmers and food production.

“Action to cut climate emissions over the next decade is crucial, yet our politicians are stalling and delaying action. We need to see real, transformative change now to cut emissions from transport, to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes and to support climate friendly farming.

“We need to end the climate contradictions in government policy. Just this week, we have seen MPs offering more support to North Sea oil and gas encouraging them to drill for every last drop, despite the knowledge it will maximise climate destruction. Instead, we should be urgently planning a just transition away from oil and gas.”