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Green Victory on Climate Change-But Executive Proposals Don't Go Far

30th Jun 2005

Greens disappointed over restricted targets

Green MSPs claimed a victory in the Scottish Parliament today as the Executive finally agreed to 'sectoral targets' to reduce the pollution that causes Climate Change, something Greens have been campaigning for since the inception of the Scottish Parliament. (1)

Since last year the Greens have been putting constant pressure on the Executive inside and outside Parliament to announce Climate Change targets ahead of the G8 summit. Today Ministers appear to have responded to that pressure, however, Greens are disappointed that the Executive had not gone all the way and announced an overall Scottish target for reducing climate pollution, restricting the targets to particular sectors only.

Greens also criticised the Executive for the vagueness of the announcement with no level of target and no timeline being announced, saying that the size of the targets and the timeline would be crucial.

The Greens are currently consulting on a Climate Change Bill for Scotland that goes beyond the Executive's announcement today. The Green proposal would require Ministers by law to set an overall target for reducing climate changing pollution in all sectors and devolved areas, to produce an action plan towards meeting that target and to report publicly on progress. Greens say this would 'go the extra mile' to make sure action is both urgent and serious.

Mark Ruskell MSP, Deputy Convener of the Parliament's Environment Committee, said: "After years of campaigning today's announcement is welcome, but now is the time to go the extra mile. We need serious commitment and with much more urgency and the Bill I presented to Parliament this week does exactly that. I look forward to responses to the consultation over the summer and welcome the Executive's move in our direction. If they are serious they will set targets at a level where tough political decisions, for example on the M74, will not be avoided."

Greens said that if Labour and Libdem MSPs are serious about pollution reduction targets, then they should have no problem supporting the Green Bill. The 'Big Ask' Climate Bill lodged this week argues that with the technologies and policies available to reduce emissions by around 3% every year, politicians should be legally accountable for making sure action is taken. Ruskell is inviting all parties to put forward their ideas for toughening up action on climate change as part of the consultation process. (2)

The two sectors the Executive has chosen for action, energy efficiency and transport, are also the subject of additional Green Bills which will stand until the Executive comes forward with detail which the Greens will then assess.

Ruskell added: "Everyone wants Scotland to shine as the eyes of the world turn to the G8 summit and we have to show a better example of how to tackle climate change - our record so far has been lamentable. Scotland has to be part of the solution to climate change, not the problem. This bill sets a challenge to Ministers and all politicians - if you say you are prepared to act, are you also prepared to be held accountable for your promises?"

Green MSP Robin Harper first asked for sectoral targets in 2000 and the Minister at that time Sarah Boyack MSP said that such targets would be considered, however when the first Climate Change Programme was published shortly afterwards omitted to take up such targets.

Pressure from Greens during the last five years culminated in Mark Ruskell successfully pressing for a climate change parliamentary inquiry earlier this year which agreed finally that sectoral targets should be considered again. Currently, according to a parliamentary inquiry report published this year, Scotland pollutes way above its fair share and is set to fail existing targets with current policies.(3)

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

(1) 5 October 2000

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when an overall Scottish target for the reduction of emissions causing climate change will be announced and how and when separate targets for industry, commerce, transport and other sectors will be set

Sarah Boyack: The Executive is considering the responses to the Scottish Climate Change Consultation, which ended on 2 June. I plan to publish the final Scottish Climate Change Programme in the near future. This will detail the action we will take in Scotland across all sectors to combat the threat of climate change.

www.scottishgreens.org.uk S_GREEN_CASE_FOR_CLIMATE_TARGETS_And_Call_Remains_For_Halt_To_Executive_Clim ate_wrecking_Projects.html

www.scottishgreens.org.uk T_EXECUTIVE_ON_TRACK_TO_FAIL_POLLUTION_TARGETS_Greens_Call_For_Action_On_Con tradictions.html

www.scottishgreens.org.uk _WILL_FAIL_WITHOUT_TRAFFIC_REDUCTION_TARGETS.html

www.scottishgreens.org.uk CTION_WILL_HELP_AND_PROTECT_THE_ECONOMY_NOT_DAMAGE_IT.html

(2) The Bill would mean that by law Scottish Ministers would have to set targets for reducing climate changing pollution in Scotland, using the full range of powers available to the Scottish Executive such as planning, transport, energy, housing, education and agriculture to reduce pollution levels to reach the legal target.

Ministers would have to regularly report, probably on an annual basis, on their progress towards meeting those targets. A full analysis would be required and if particular policies were leading to the failure to meet targets then changes would have to be brought forward by Ministers for scrutiny in Parliament.

Greens are to consult widely, and particularly with other parties to seek cross-party support. Leading politicians from Labour, Libdems and the Tories have supported a similar move in Westminster.

For more information about the 'Big Ask' campaign, which is an initiative of Friends of the Earth, go to: www.thebigask.com The Green MSP draft consultation the 'Big Ask in Scotland' is available by email from the Press Office or at www.markruskellmsp.org

(3) A parliamentary inquiry report into climate change published on 18th May slated the Scottish Executive for its failure to take radical action to tackle climate change - and criticised the fact that Scotland lags behind the UK in reducing climate change pollution, stating that "..... the current rate of progress in reducing emissions in Scotland is inadequate to meet both short and long-term targets." Other comments in the conclusions of that report: "...progress to date in Scotland has been disappointing. There are significant worries that emissions from major sectors such as energy and transport are still rising."

"Significant development of political leadership is required if climate change is to be addressed in a robust, coherent and equitable way which can take account of other social and economic objectives. Failure to achieve this would risk leaving Scotland struggling to meet ever more challenging obligations and failing to exploit fully the benefits and opportunities which may arise."

George Baxter Head of Media and Communications Scottish Green MSPs Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP