Get the latest from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell

‘Sickening’ Shell profits underline urgent need for shift to renewables

Thu 2 Feb, 2023

The sickening scale of oil and gas company profits underlines the urgent need to shift to renewables, say the Scottish Greens.

This comes as Shell has announced 2022 profits of $40 billion, reportedly a 115 year record.

The Scottish Greens energy and environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said:

“Many will be sickened and angry by the obscene level of profits reported by Shell and the other oil and gas giants, who have enriched themselves at the cost of our planet. 

Success of free travel for Under 22s driving force for more bus routes

Tue 31 Jan, 2023

The successful uptake in free bus travel, rolled out to Under 22 year-olds (U22s) in Scotland over the past year, can be the driving force for expanding local routes, say the Scottish Greens on the first anniversary of its launch. . 

The Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said the numbers of young people getting on board with greener bus travel is making an “irrefutable case” that there is sustainable demand for good, reliable local services. 

New oil licences would be disastrous for our environment

Tue 17 Jan, 2023

If the UK government allows new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea it will be disastrous for our environment, say the Scottish Greens.

The warning comes as the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), which regulates the sector, has announced that a total of 115 bids have been received from 76 companies, covering 258 “blocks” of the sea.

The NSTA has said that the bids will now be studied and those that go ahead could begin production in as little as 18 months.

UK government must stop dragging us towards environmental disaster

Fri 13 Jan, 2023

The Scottish Greens are challenging the UK government to wake up to the reality of the climate crisis and reverse course on fossil fuels, rather than dragging us towards environmental disaster.

The calls come just days after the publication of the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition plan.

The plan, published on Tuesday, calls for a halt to new oil and gas exploration licences and outlines plans for Scotland to lead a just transition to renewables.

Time for Caledonian Sleeper to be brought into public ownership

Thu 12 Jan, 2023

The Caledonian Sleeper service should run in the public interest and closely integrated with European national rail services, say the Scottish Greens, who have called for the service to be brought into public hands.

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, during a debate in the Scottish Parliament called for an affordable sleeper service “that is fully integrated and operated in the national interest, and run by a public company.”

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

End of support for fossil fuel era in Scotland ‘a generational tipping point’

Tue 10 Jan, 2023

Proposals by the Scottish Government to oppose new onshore oil, gas and coal, and to adopt a presumption against any new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, represents a "generational tipping point" in favour of clean, renewable energy, say the Scottish Greens.

The Scottish Government Energy Strategy and Just Transition plan reflects long argued Scottish Green policy for an end to fossil fuels in the face of worsening climate crisis.

Rosebank oil and gas field is climate disaster waiting to happen, halt it now

Thu 5 Jan, 2023

This must be a year of transition away from oil and gas, according to the Scottish Greens. The Party has called for the UK government to do its bit by finally halting the climate-wrecking exploration in the Rosebank oil and gas field.

MSP floats plans for Loch Leven to become protected wild swimming hotspot

Tue 3 Jan, 2023

One of Scotland’s most stunning freshwater lochs could become a protected wild swimming hotspot if a bid by the Scottish Greens to see it given designated bathing water status gets the go-ahead.

The picturesque Loch Leven in Perth and Kinross, a favourite spot for Loony Dookers, is probably most famous for being the site of Mary Queen of Scots’ last prison escape, inspiring an eponymous film starring Margot Robbie.

Make 2023 the year Scotland goes greyhound racing free

Tue 27 Dec, 2022

The Scottish Greens say “barbaric” greyhound racing must be brought to an end in 2023 and have vowed to step up their campaign against the sport.

Bold plans to expand onshore wind will be vital to ensuring a sustainable future

Wed 21 Dec, 2022

The Scottish Greens have hailed bold and ambitious new Scottish Government proposals to radically expand onshore wind energy in Scotland.