UK ratifies Paris climate change Agreement

Reacting to news that the UK has joined the group of over 100 nations committed to keep climate change to safe levels following unanimous agreement from MPs, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“This good news and sends a clear message to Donald Trump that the world’s nations will continue to act together on climate, and that he should reaffirm the USA’s commitment on this issue too.

“Signing the treaty must now be followed by action, with the UK off track to meet its own climate targets. The UK government should ban new fossil fuel exploration such as fracking, and reverse cuts to support for renewable energy as first steps towards doing it's fair share of keeping global temperatures below 1.5 degrees.

“For the UK to live up to its obligations under the Paris Agreement the energy market will have to change in ways which will help Scotland to deliver more ambitious climate and renewable energy targets.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. MPs unanimously agreed to approve ratification of the Paris Agreement last night and Nick Hurd is expected to announce the formal ratification today at the UN climate conference in Marrakech.
2. 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