Get the latest from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell

MSPs urged to recognise Cambo contradicts climate goals

Thu 22 Jul, 2021

The Scottish Parliament is being challenged to recognise that the proposed Cambo oil field of the coast of Shetland would be incompatible with the UK and Scotland’s climate targets and international obligations.

A motion by Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell has been laid before parliament raising the International Energy Agency (IEA) report on achieving net-zero targets which advised nations to halt investment in new oil and gas fields.

Flash floods show need for preventative investment

Mon 5 Jul, 2021

The extreme flash floods in Edinburgh show that more investment is needed in climate adaptation measures to deal with rising temperatures, the Scottish Greens have said.

Streets turned to rivers on Sunday, putting pressure on fire crews and resulting in an expensive clean-up operation.

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “The capital is just the latest flashpoint where the climate crisis is having an impact on Scotland’s infrastructure as extreme weather events become more and more common.

Greens: Amazon must answer for shocking Fife waste stockpile

Mon 21 Jun, 2021

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has called on Amazon to answer for shocking numbers of items being destroyed and sent to recycling or landfill at its Dunfermline warehouse.

Greens call on ScotRail bosses to resolve strikes now

Sun 20 Jun, 2021

ScotRail bosses must stop using social media platforms to attack their workers and instead resolve the ongoing industrial dispute, Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has said.

ScotRail has repeatedly taken to social media in recent weeks to attack ticket examiners and conductors who are striking again today (Sunday) over a dispute about rest day payments.

Mark Ruskell said:

“Instead of repeatedly attacking their own staff on twitter, ScotRail bosses need to get round the table with the RMT and resolve this situation urgently.

Third year of missed climate targets shows need for step change

Tue 15 Jun, 2021

Scotland has missed Scottish Government climate emissions reductions targets for the third year in a row, and the Scottish Greens have warned this reveals a step-change in policy is needed before it is too late.

While source emissions dropped slightly in 2019, that is only because 2018 figures have been revised upwards. Transport emissions remains by far the biggest contributor to Scotland failing to meet its targets, with agriculture and other land use also playing a major part.

Commenting, Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell said:

Scottish Greens back National Marine Parks proposal

Tue 8 Jun, 2021

Scottish Greens have welcomed a proposal from the Blue Marine Foundation for the establishment of National Marine Parks in Scotland.

WWF species report must be wake-up call for governments

Wed 2 Jun, 2021

A new report from the WWF on how rising temperatures are threatening Scottish species must be a wake-up call for governments on the nature emergency, the Scottish Greens have said.

Greens: Government must act swiftly on Mossmorran safety fears

Tue 25 May, 2021

Dangerous hydrocarbons released by the ExxonMobil plant at Mossmorran show an urgent need for government intervention, the Scottish Greens have said.

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has called on the new Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Michael Matheson to take urgent action over the Fife plant after it emerged a second public body have called for a prosecution following breaches of regulations at the site.

Scottish Greens unveil spokespeople

Fri 21 May, 2021

The Scottish Greens have revealed their spokespeople that will cover the various government portfolios.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie will continue to speak on finance and constitutional issues, while fellow co-leader Lorna Slater will lead on the two issues central the Scottish Greens election campaign, economic recovery from the pandemic and a green industrial strategy to lower Scotland’s carbon emissions.

The full spokespeople list is as follows:

Patrick Harvie: Scottish Greens spokesperson for Finance and Constitution

Alok Sharma coal pledge just provides hot air

Fri 14 May, 2021

Alok Sharma’s comments on the COP26 climate conference are ‘hot air’ without a major rethink of the UK’s policy priorities, the Scottish Greens have said.

The UK minister, who is COP26 President-Designate, has used a speech in Scotland to call for an end to coal power ahead of the international summit.