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.

Scotland must revisit 20mph after 130 countries sign pledge

Mon 24 Feb, 2020

Scotland should revisit the idea of a 20mph national speed limit for residential streets after 130 countries signed a pledge to introduce it, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Nicola Sturgeon challenged over future of Mossmorran

Thu 20 Feb, 2020

Scottish Greens have challenged Nicola Sturgeon to engage with the community impacted by the Fife gas plant at Mossmorran.

Scottish Green environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions after agency staff walked out of Mossmorran yesterday citing health and safety concerns linked to recent flaring activity which has caused widespread pollution.

Environment agency SEPA has rated the site ‘poor’ in its latest report.

Asylum seekers must be enfranchised say Greens

Thu 20 Feb, 2020

MSPs could make Scotland a more welcoming place for asylum seekers by backing proposals to extend the voting franchise this afternoon, according to Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell.

Scottish Greens proposals to extend the right to vote to refugees have already been incorporated in the bill and Mr Ruskell, a Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, says his amendments to the bill, extending the franchise to asylum seekers, would ensure that everyone who makes up our communities has a say in who represents them.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Mark Ruskell backs workers in Mossmorran walkout

Wed 19 Feb, 2020

Mark Ruskell MSP has offered support to workers who have staged a walkout at the Mossmorran gas plant in Fife.

The Daily Record has reported agency staff have walked out at the controversial plant over health and safety concerns and working conditions, including concerns over the recent flaring, which caused light pollution across Fife and Edinburgh.

Scottish government letting down Mossmorran communities

Fri 14 Feb, 2020

The Scottish Government is letting down the communities who live in the shadow of the Mossmorran Ethylene Plant according to Scottish Greens Fife MSP Mark Ruskell.

Mr Ruskell is today repeating his call for the Scottish Government to:

- Meet with communities surrounding the plant;

- Commission an independent review into health impacts;

Alister Jack dismisses Scottish renewable industry

Wed 12 Feb, 2020

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has undermined the potential of Scottish renewable energy by admitting the UK Government is leaving its future to market forces.

In a comment in Scottish Questions at Westminster, Jack said that offshore wind turbines being built in Indonesia for Scottish sites is ‘the market economy at work’.

Greens win backing for more powers for SSPCA

Tue 11 Feb, 2020

The SSPCA could be set to get more powers to tackle wildlife crime, after a Holyrood committee backed proposals by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell as part of evidence on the Animals and Wildlife Bill.

The Scottish animal protection charity currently only has the power to collect evidence on crime against domestic animals, but MSPs on the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee have recommended the Scottish Government explores ways to expand these powers to cover wildlife.

Government’s own climate exercise reveals support for Green policies

Mon 3 Feb, 2020

The Scottish Government’s own consultation on the climate emergency has revealed widespread support for Scottish Green policies ahead of SNP positions.

The Big Climate Conversation engaged over 2,500 people in Scotland about the government’s response to tackling the global climate emergency.

Minister admits no policy on new gas plants

Thu 30 Jan, 2020

Planning Minister Kevin Stewart has admitted there are no national planning policies to guide the siting of new gas peaking plants, following Fife Council’s consideration of two planning applications in a week for gas plants at Inverkeithing and Hillend.

The Minister was responding to questions from Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell, who has said we need an urgent review of planning guidance so that councils can tackle the climate emergency.

Mark Ruskell welcomes Mossmorran climate camp

Tue 28 Jan, 2020

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has welcomed the news a protest camp has chosen the petrochemical plant at Mossmorran for its 2020 location.

Protesters have announced they will camp at the site for five days in the summer.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has led calls for the plant to be transitioned away from fossil fuels and supported local residents who have suffered as a result of air, light and sound pollution as a result of flaring from the site.