Low carbon economy must be backed by ‘just transition’

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon economic strategy published today (15 November), Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:

“The vision of this strategy is commendable. In the 21st century, a healthy economy must be a low carbon economy. That means helping low-carbon industries like renewables replace high-carbon industries like oil and gas, not simply trying to have them both. This strategy must be backed by plans for a ‘just transition’ to secure low-carbon employment for Scotland’s workers in high-carbon industries.

“New investment and new financial incentives will be needed too. The Scottish Government’s budget, expected on Wednesday, should allocate capital investment to job rich and health promoting low carbon investments in renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, and public and active transport – by releasing funds from carbon intensive projects such as the Aberdeen bypass and new Forth Crossing.

“To help deliver further investment in an era of fiscal austerity, the UK’s proposed Green Investment Bank should be based in Scotland, and green tax reforms introduced at UK and Scottish levels to provide targeted incentives for change.

“This strategy makes welcome proposals to grow Scotland’s GDP in less environmentally damaging ways. But a genuinely sustainable economic strategy would also introduce other benchmarks for performance, measuring fairness and human wellbeing as well, ensuring that the economy delivers the things people need.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to editors

Scottish Government Low carbon economy strategy press release
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/15085756/0

A Low Carbon Economic Strategy for Scotland: Scotland – A Low Carbon Society
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/15085756/0

Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future. We think globally and act locally in Scotland, delivering solutions to climate change by enabling and empowering people to take both individual and collective action. We offer help to people with the big things in life – helping to sustain a healthy society and environment. We believe that all of our children’s futures will be better because of what we do.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk