Climate Assembly has played crucial role in change
Scotland’s climate assembly has been successful in shifting the conversation on the climate emergency and must be empowered to continue to do so, the Scottish Greens have said.
The Scottish Climate Assembly, established through a Scottish Greens amendment to the Climate Act, produced recommendations, many of which have been reflected in Scottish Government policy.
However, committee members have also called on governments to do more.
Commenting, Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “Scotland’s climate assembly has been instrumental in changing the conversation on the climate emergency in Scotland. Their recommendations have been reflected in a significant policy shift with Greens in government for the first time in the last six months, with urgent action on the areas where Scotland has missed targets like heating and transport.
“But yesterday’s warning by the IPCC on the urgency of climate action means no government can claim full credibility on this issue, which is why we need to continue to value the input of citizens and keep the conversation going. It is our citizens who can give governments confidence to go further. For example, they are clear that reducing aviation demand must be incentivised, and the Scottish Government could go further on this.
“Sadly, with its unwavering support for continued expansion of fossil fuel extraction, road building and aviation, the UK Government has shown no commitment to heed the warnings or follow the advice of citizens or scientists. It’s long past time they did so.”