Mark Ruskell MSP

Mid Scotland and Fife

Climate, Energy, Environment, Food & Farming

Mark Ruskell was re-elected as an MSP in May 2016, having served Mid Scotland and Fife between 2003 and 2007, during which time he served on the environment committee, introduced legislative proposals on climate targets and GM crops. In this session he is a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee. He has been a councillor on Stirling Council since 2012. Outside of politics Mark has managed community development projects, worked in the renewables sector and for conservation bodies in Scotland. He lives near Doune with his young family.

Corbyn’s climate emergency claim is cobblers

Wed 13 Nov, 2019

Jeremy Corbyn’s claim that Labour were the first to call a climate emergency is cobblers, the Scottish Greens have pointed out.

The UK Labour leader made the assertion on the campaign trail in Scotland today.

In fact the Scottish Greens brought a motion declaring a climate emergency to the Scottish Parliament in March, which Labour, the SNP, Lib Dems and the Tories voted down.

SNP agriculture climate plan behind, warns CCC

Mon 11 Nov, 2019

The UK Committee on Climate Change has warned the Scottish Government is falling behind on transitioning agriculture to address the climate emergency.

Speaking to MSPs of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, CCC chief executive Chris Stark said plans to adapt agriculture were in place but progress was “half baked”.

The CCC told MSPs Scotland has not made enough progress on adapting Scotland to meet the challenges of global warming, especially with Brexit leading to the UK leaving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Mark Ruskell secures commitment on Mossmorran compensation

Thu 7 Nov, 2019

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has secured a commitment from the First Minister to look at compensation from those who have suffered as a result of pollution from the Mossmorran gas plant in Fife.

At First Minister’s Questions, Mark Ruskell raised this week’s 'Report on the Health Impacts of Flaring at Mossmorran and Historical Cancer Incidence' from NHS Fife, which clearly shows flaring at the plant caused significant physical and psychological disturbance to local residents, impacting on their health, sleep patterns and anxiety levels.

Mark Ruskell welcomes NHS report on health impact of Mossmorran

Fri 1 Nov, 2019

Mossmorran gas plant in Fife has had a direct impact on the health of nearby residents, a new NHS report has found.

Responding to the NHS Fife 'Report on the Health Impacts of Flaring at Mossmorran and Historical Cancer Incidence', Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “This report is very welcome, and is the first sign anyone has taken people’s health concerns seriously.

"It clearly states that flaring at the plant is causing significant physical and psychological disturbance to local residents, impacting on their health, sleep patterns and anxiety levels.

Scottish Government’s climate ambition on heating is already behind

Tue 29 Oct, 2019

The Scottish Government’s ambition to lower emissions to tackle the climate emergency is already falling behind when it comes to renewable heating, it has emerged.

The existing target for 11% of heating to come from renewable sources by 2020 looks unlikely to be met, with energy minister Paul Wheelhouse admitting only 6.3% was reached in 2018.

In an answer to a parliamentary question, Wheelhouse stated investment in renewable heat in Scotland has slowed down because of changes to incentive schemes by the UK Government.

SNP climate conference sponsored by Heathrow and BP

Sun 13 Oct, 2019

SNP delegates in Aberdeen will discuss the climate emergency at a conference sponsored by a London airport and an oil multinational.

Heathrow is running an ‘airport-style lounge’ at the conference offering SNP politicians “one-to-one” meetings with “a senior Heathrow representative to discuss what expansion means for your constituency”.

Meanwhile, a fringe event to discuss how to achieve net zero emissions is sponsored by oil and gas giant BP.

School dinners can be emergency response to wildlife decline

Tue 8 Oct, 2019

The rapid decline in wildlife requires an emergency response in the way food is produced in Scotland, the Scottish Greens have said.

In a question to ministers in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Green environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell called for an expansion in organic farming in the wake of last week’s State of Nature report, which showed a 41% decline in of species in the UK.

Minister Mairi Gougeon admitted organic farming in Scotland has declined, and agreed to discuss this as part of the next organic action plan.

Ruskell hails victory in fracking fight

Thu 3 Oct, 2019

The Scottish Greens Energy and Climate Spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has hailed a victory in the fight against fracking, after the Scottish Government finally acted to put a stop to fracking in Scotland following a seven year campaign.

Greens led the first parliamentary debate on the topic in 2012, and have been at the forefront of opposition to this dangerous practice ever since.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Green Wins in the Climate Bill

Mark Ruskell MSP Wed 2 Oct, 2019

The Climate Change Bill has passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, so what has changed as a result and what did the Greens get out of it?

Firstly, through cross party working and pressure on the Scottish Government we helped shift Parliament to increase ambition and support a 2030 target of 75%, while pushing for an even higher target of 80% by 2030.

Scottish Greens refuse to back weak climate bill

Wed 25 Sep, 2019

Scottish Green MSPs have refused to back a Climate Bill which doesn’t match the ambitions of climate strikers.

The Scottish Government’s Climate Bill, which commits to a net-zero economy by 2045 with no viable roadmap to get there, betrays promises made to the mass movement calling for urgent action to deal with the Climate Emergency, Greens said.

The Climate Bill falls well short of the urgent action required to address the climate emergency by transforming the Scottish economy, and therefore the Scottish Greens will not back it.