A great result for communities across Scotland at risk of fracking
Mark Ruskell, Climate & Energy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, tonight welcomed the vote in Parliament in support of a ban on fracking.
Two years ago a ban was proposed in a debate brought by the Scottish Greens but all other parties voted against it.
Tonight SNP MSPs abstained on amendments from the Greens and Labour opposing fracking, resulting in a majority of MSPs in support of those amendments. The Green amendment also called for radical and ongoing reform to democratise land.
Mark Ruskell, Climate & Energy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, said:
"Tonight's vote is a great result for communities across Scotland who remain at risk of fracking. The SNP's decision to abstain is a cause of regret and I hope they reflect on the result.
"We stand ready to work with them to comply with the wishes of Parliament and help deliver this ban. Holyrood has clearly agreed that fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction are incompatible with Scotland’s low-carbon ambitions."
Andy Wightman, Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said:
"I'm delighted we succeeded with my debut amendment to a parliamentary debate motion. With the notable exception of the Tories, there is clearly an appetite for radical land reform in this session of parliament and tonight's vote puts the pressure on government to deliver on that expectation.
"Activists within the SNP agitating for bolder action on land reform should question their party's decision in the chamber today."
Motion agreed by Parliament (Yes 32, No 30, Abstain 61):
That the Parliament “recognises that, to meet Scotland's climate change goals and protect the environment, there must be an outright ban on fracking in Scotland; agrees that Scotland’s stunning natural environment is one of its most precious assets; and reaffirms its commitment to protecting these natural assets for today and the future; believes that securing Scotland's long-term prosperity requires the Scottish Government to have ambition, policy coherence and a focus on realising the benefits of a low-carbon economy for people in Scotland; supports ambitious action to end fuel poverty, safeguard biodiversity, deliver a step change in community-owned renewable energy; believes that fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction are incompatible with Scotland’s low-carbon ambitions; notes that land reform is a process of changing the legal, political, economic and fiscal relationship between society and land across urban, rural and marine Scotland, and believes that this relationship requires radical and ongoing reform to democratise land and ensure that it is owned and used in the public interest and for the common good.”