Time for UK to step up to Scotland’s 42% target

Commenting on the The Committee on Climate Change report on Scotland published today (24 February), Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:

“The 42% target is achievable through domestic effort in a context where there is a new global deal to reduce emissions which triggers the EU’s target to reduce emissions by 30% in 2020 relative to 1990.

“A Friends of the Earth report from December 2009 shows that EU can achieve at least 40% domestic emissions reductions by 2020 without resorting to measures like agrofuels, nuclear power or carbon capture and storage.

“We believe the EU should commit to 40% and that the UK as a whole should join Scotland in committing to a 42%. With a General Election only weeks away we challenge candidates for election to Westminster from all parties to commit to increasing the UK 2020 target and arguing for the EU to increase their target also.

“Someone had to jump first, and that was Scotland. This report justifies that confidence and compels other developed nations to also set ambitious targets.

“Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can deliver multiple benefits as well as improving the health of our planet. Peatland restoration, for example, is very cost effective, while other areas such as improving housing, and increasing public transport, walking and cycling, would deliver big health and social benefits as well as being good for job creation.”

ENDS

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

Notes to Editors

The Committee on Climate Change is an independent body established under the Climate Change Act to advise the UK Government on setting carbon budgets, and to report to Parliament on the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Download the “Scotland’s path to a low-carbon economy” report here: www.theccc.org.uk/reports

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

Friends of the Earth Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), a diverse, growing coalition of organisations campaigning on climate change. The SCCS Coalition has 60 Scottish members, representing more than 2 million supporters (40% of the Scottish population), ranging from environment and development groups to faith organisations, trade unions, student societies, care providers and many more. www.stopclimatechaos.org/scotland