Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), a coalition of over 60 diverse organisations campaigning together on climate change, has reacted to today’s climate conversation hosted by the First Minister, with representatives from Scottish and international civil society invited to attend, and news of a delay to the forthcoming Climate Change Plan.
SCCS Chair Mike Robinson said:
“Our planet is boiling, so the new actions needed to reduce Scotland’s emissions in sectors like transport, agriculture and heating cannot be left to barely simmer for months.
“While it is very encouraging to hear the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary restate their strong commitment to climate action in Scotland and to protecting the credibility of Scotland’s global leadership on climate justice at and beyond COP28, this must be backed up with action now and over the next few months.
“The delay to Scotland’s critical Climate Change Plan is undoubtedly worrying, given the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee has said that changes to UK level climate policies did not necessitate this. We urgently need a firm new timeline for this Plan, and the delay must be fully utilised to ensure the Plan drives rapid delivery of meaningful new climate action.
“In the meantime, amid a climate and nature emergency, and having missed eight out of the last 12 emissions reduction targets, we cannot stand still. Bold action is needed sooner rather than later, and there are a number of policies that can be progressed now. For example, reforming the funding system for agriculture, making our homes warmer, and enabling more sustainable transport options.
“As the First Minister heard today, the devastation wreaked by the climate crisis in the Global South is growing fast with lives and livelihoods being destroyed. We’re also increasingly seeing the impacts closer to home, including the recent floods.
“The First Minister must now prove through his attendance at COP28, the Scottish Budget, the new Climate Change Plan and all other opportunities that his Scottish Government will deliver on his commitments to deliver a just but fast transition, including by ensuring it is funded by making polluters pay.”
