Mark Ruskell

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.

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.

Scottish Greens respond to jobs news at former BiFab yard

Thu 15 Apr, 2021

Responding to the news that Harland and Wolff have won a contract to build eight jackets for the NNG offshore wind development, Scottish Greens energy spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: "This is a significant foot in the door for the Fife yard after years of uncertainty.

"Scotland's vast offshore wind resource is ready to be harnessed, but both the UK and Scottish governments must ensure that all projects have a high percentage of Scottish built kit as a condition of approval.

Greens urge caution on safe distancing as travel restrictions ease

Tue 13 Apr, 2021

Scottish Greens have urged caution as restrictions lift to avoid a new wave of the COVID-19 virus.

Following the announcement that people will be able to leave local authority areas and gather in larger groups from this Friday, Scottish Greens candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell said: “The news that family members will be able to meet for the first time in many months will be welcome relief, but we will only avoid another wave of the virus if we are cautious. That means maintaining safe distancing and staying outdoors.

Marine Scotland willing to look the other way on Acoustic Deterrents say Greens

Thu 11 Mar, 2021

The Scottish Greens have accused Marine Scotland of “looking the other way” when it comes to the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) at fish farms.

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell yesterday challenged Natural Environment Minister Ben McPherson to commit to taking legal action against fish farms which continue to use ADDs without a license.

ADDs have been shown to cause serious injury and lasting damage seals as well interfering with the echo location of other marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

Greens: Elimination will require more to test and isolate

Wed 10 Mar, 2021

Scotland must do more to step up testing and support people to self-isolate if we are to eliminate COVID-19, the Scottish Greens have warned.

At Holyrood’s COVID committee, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her objective was to “eliminate” COVID-19 in Scotland.

Greens call out lack of urgency on Mossmorran transition

Tue 9 Mar, 2021

The Scottish Greens have criticised the Scottish Government for failing to commit to a just transition plan for Mossmorran, despite the First Minister agreeing to ‘look at all options’ for the aging fossil fuel plant last year.

The criticism comes as the Scottish Parliament debates the Government’s climate change plan, with the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee saying major action and transformational change across all sectors is now urgently required to address the climate emergency.

Workplace protections must be improved while vaccines rolled out

Fri 26 Feb, 2021

Responding to the decision of the JCVI to continue to prioritise the rollout of vaccines through age cohorts, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, a member of Holyrood’s COVID-19 Committee, said:

Hydrogen 'no silver bullet', warn Scottish Greens

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

Scottish Government plans for a ‘hydrogen economy’ shows an over reliance on the fossil fuel sector and technologies that haven’t been developed yet to provide an emergency response to the climate crisis, the Scottish Greens have warned.

In a statement to MSPs, Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse pledged to press on with a move to hydrogen energy, even though he conceded it was not yet known how it could integrate with the gas grid.

Scottish Government must explain vaccine booking system failure

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government still has significant questions to answer after failing to adequately explain why NHS Fife has experienced problems with its vaccine booking system, Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Questioning the Health Secretary in parliament this afternoon Mr Ruskell noted that yesterday’s queues came following a winter flu vaccination programme in Fife that was described as ‘Shambolic’.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Green recovery needs bold investments like Rail for All

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

A green recovery from the pandemic will require more strategic investments such as the £22bn proposals to upgrade Scotland’s railways from the Scottish Greens, the party has said.