Grangemouth closure fears show need for a just transition plan

Climate campaigners have reacted to news of Grangemouth Refinery’s potential closure by 2025 saying the Scottish Government has failed to create credible transition plans with workers at the site.

Friends of the Earth Scotland just transition campaigner Rosie Hampton

“Workers at the refinery and the wider community at Grangemouth deserve better than how they have been treated today by rich bosses in distant boardrooms. Escalating climate breakdown and the move away from fossil fuelled vehicles means that the transition away from oil and gas is essential in the coming years. Today’s announcement is, sadly, the inevitable consequence of the Scottish Government’s repeated failure to grasp this reality and to put concrete transition plans in place with workers.

“The people most affected by this closure must have a say in shaping their future. The Scottish Government must act quickly to get workers, their unions and INEOS around the table to begin developing a meaningful plan for a just transition away from fossil fuels that includes workers and communities at its heart.

“Time and again, Ineos have proven themselves to be an irresponsible owner who care little for their workers. They refused to give evidence to a Scottish Parliament committee this year investigating how to create a just transition for the site.

“Ineos are an obscenely wealthy firm whose owner has billions to splash on buying Manchester United, so the Scottish Government must not give any free handouts of public money or bend over backwards for this company.

“Scotland’s energy future must see our lives powered by renewables that are owned and operated in the public interest. Claims about the role of carbon capture and hydrogen are little more than greenwash that will fail to create the jobs needed or phase out the fossil fuels wreaking havoc to the climate.”