David Cameron makes shameless speech at climate conference

Reacting to David Cameron’s speech at the Paris climate summit Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“That husky must be turning in its grave. David Cameron shamelessly tells the world he is committed to tackling climate change and urges everyone else to get on with it when his own energy policy will deliver the opposite, with dreams of nuclear that won’t come true, baseless assumptions about fracking actually working and cuts all round for renewables. Since the election, the UK Government have made changes that guarantee we will not meet climate or green energy targets. This is a problem for Scotland with our target of 100% renewable electricity in just 5 years’ time. Our very successful industry will be set back years because of the Tories’ ideological objection to windfarms and solar.

“Communities and individuals who wanted to do their bit to tackle climate change and benefit from the renewable energy revolution have been seriously undermined by the Treasury’s drastic cuts to support mechanisms.“

“In Scotland we’ll stop burning coal to make electricity next March and the priorities will be to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy, on the way to a fossil-free Scotland. Sadly the UK’s backwards policies will slow down our ability to play to Scotland’s energy strengths and frustrate communities who are planning to make their own energy.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. 150 world leaders were speaking on the opening day of the UN climate conference in Paris.
2. More details on the climate conference here: http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/paris-talks-whats-stake
3. Friends of the Earth Scotland is:
* Scotland's leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 75 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk