Responding to announcement in Scottish Parliament today by Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to reduce climate emissions by 90% by 2050 in the new Climate Change Bill, Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) said:
“A new Climate Change Bill is an opportunity for Scotland to put itself at the forefront of global action on climate change and reap the economic and social benefits of the clean energy revolution.
Last week the First Minister committed to implementing the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement through the new Bill. This means setting a date for reaching net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and increasing action to reduce emissions in the short-term through tougher targets and increased policy action in the areas where emissions aren’t coming down, like transport, buildings and agriculture.
Without these steps, Scotland’s new Climate Bill would not go far enough to limit global temperature change to 1.5 degrees, and too little to protect those around the world who have contributed least to climate change but will be most affected.
“Committing to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 would fulfil both our international obligations and create a fairer, more sustainable and successful Scotland.”
