The five political parties currently represented in the Scottish Parliament will take part in a special online election debate focusing on their policies to tackle climate change. It will take place in Edinburgh on Monday 18th April and will be streamed live online through the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland website.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has organised the interactive event, which is inviting questions from the public about the parties’ commitment to tackle climate change in the next group of MSPs elected to Holyrood. The public can submit their questions on Facebook, Twitter in advance or live on the night . Small groups of people across the country can also participate from anywhere in Scotland via video link.
Journalist David Torrance will chair the debate that takes place on ‘Climate Day’, when political parties are expected to focus their election campaigning and press announcements on climate change on this day. Those participating in the debate are:
- Sarah Boyack, Environmental Justice Spokesperson for Scottish Labour
- Mark Ruskell, Environment Spokesperson for Scottish Greens
- Ettie Spencer, Liberal Democrats candidate for East Lothian
- SNP speaker TBC
- Scottish Conservatives speaker TBC
Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said
“This debate is an opportunity for people across Scotland to grill candidates on how their party will tackle climate change in the next Parliament. All the parties have committed to deliver on the Scottish Climate Act so this will be a chance to see how they intend to put that promise into action.
“We need to see real action on cutting emissions from transport, ensuring that everyone has a warm home and building the low carbon infrastructure the country needs. Agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of Scotland’s climate emissions so this is another key sector that needs ambitious policy effort.“
“Decisions made by the MSPs over the next five years will be critical to meeting our Climate Act, fulfilling our global commitments, and securing the benefits of becoming a low carbon country.”
