The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) coalition has welcomed the publication of the Stage 1 report into Scotland’s Climate Bill. The report by the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Land Reform and Climate Change committee will examine the evidence taken from expert stakeholders, many of whom highlighted the need for urgent action to tackle climate change over the next decade.
The accompanying statement to the report calls for “greater urgency and action across all parts of Government, across the wider public and private sectors and by individuals, to deliver the transformational change needed to reach our targets.”
Members of the civil society coalition gave evidence in Autumn 2018 to the Committee and urged MSPs to recommend a step change in Scotland’s action to tackle climate change within the next decade and to put in place the policies required to bring down emissions.
Caroline Rance, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland commented,
“It’s clear from the evidence given to the Committee that there is plenty of opportunity for Scotland to do more in the vital period before 2030 and the public support for urgent action is loud and clear. By taking positive action in the next few years we can secure warmer homes, better public transport and deliver the support to enable climate-friendly farming.
“Climate change is the most urgent and pressing crisis facing the world and Scotland’s targets for cutting emissions must reflect our commitment to meeting that challenge. It is welcome to hear the Committee emphasising the need for urgency across society to ensure that Scotland creates the positive, transformational change required to deliver our fair share of international effort.
“MSPs must now use the parliamentary process to increase the 2030 target and lay out the concrete measures that will cut climate emissions from transport, housing and food production over the next ten years.
Dr Geraldine Hill, advocacy manager at SCIAF, member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland commented,
“An increasingly unpredictable climate is here now. Last month we had the warmest winter day on record in Scotland, almost exactly a year since we were snowed in by the Beast From the East. People in Scotland know that those most vulnerable and least responsible for the climate crisis, especially those in developing countries, will face the worst of the consequences.
“Our response to climate change must be rooted in climate justice and a transition to a zero-carbon economy that’s fair to those currently working in sectors like oil and gas. Scotland should listen to the climate science telling us to increase our efforts, to the people at the frontline enduring the impacts of a changing climate, and increasingly, to the young people around the world who are demanding we do more.
“The final law must deliver on the wishes of the tens of thousands of people who have called for Scotland to do much more in the coming decade and end our contribution to climate change as soon as possible. As the recent IPCC report warned; we are running out of time to solve this crisis. “
