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.

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.

Scottish Greens back climate target call

Thu 12 Sep, 2019

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland handed over a giant postcard to MSPs demanding stronger targets and action in the Climate Change Bill, which goes to final vote on Wednesday 25 September.

Scottish Green envrionment spokesperson Mark Ruskell has lodged a number of amendments to the bill.

Responding to the call from Stop Climate Chaos and others, Mark Ruskell said:

District heating commitments not enough

Tue 3 Sep, 2019

The commitments to district heating in the programme for government do not go far enough to ensure all Scots have warm homes, the Scottish Greens have said.

In her plans for the year, Nicola Sturgeon announced a Heat Networks Bill and a consultation on new buildings regulations.

Responding, Scottish Greens environment and energy spokesperson Mark Ruskell said:

“£30m for innovative low carbon heating projects is a flash in the pan, not the kind of transformational change Scotland needs, and which I called for this summer.

Government must take urgent action on air pollution

Thu 29 Aug, 2019

The Scottish Government must commit to taking urgent, robust action to tackle air pollution according to the Scottish Greens Environment and Climate Spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP.

Mr Ruskell made the call following the publication of a review into the government’s air quality strategy.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Scottish Greens welcome WWF call ahead of Scottish Green New Deal launch

Mon 26 Aug, 2019

The Scottish Greens have welcomed WWF’s 12-point call for action on the climate emergency ahead of the party’s launch of an ambitious Scottish Green New Deal this week.

The environmental NGO has joined with civic and business leaders - named the Climate Emergency Response Group - to call for 12 actions from the Scottish Government to address the Climate Emergency including maximising sustainable land use, investing in zero-carbon homes and dedicating the Scottish National Investment Bank to delivering on the Climate Emergency.