Harvie uses FMQs to urge industrial strategy that supports jobs such as those under threat at BiFab
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, today (16 Nov) used First Minister's Questions to urge a fresh industrial strategy that urgently supports jobs in renewable energy such as the 1,400 under threat at BiFab in Fife and the Western Isles.
Green MSPs met with BiFab workers at today's rally outside Parliament, while on Tuesday Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, pressed the Economy Secretary on the issue.
Mr Harvie pointed out that this week the First Minister is at a major climate change conference in Bonn, and has stated that her government will come to "an early decision" on when Scotland will aim to have net-zero carbon emissions.
Scottish Greens have been campaigning for net-zero emissions by 2040 to maintain the current trend of action, while the Scottish Government has to date proposed a slowing down of action with only a 90 per cent reduction by 2050.
Mr Harvie said:
"If we’re to make progress towards a zero-carbon Scotland, we must do more to support offshore wind energy. BiFab is a company at the forefront of this transition, and the workforce need to know that the Government has an industrial strategy that commits to support their jobs.
"The Deputy First Minister's comment that renewables will be 'at the heart' of energy policy is welcome, but a real commitment would be setting a zero-carbon target of 2040, and matching that with a transition plan that supports jobs like those at BiFab, driving innovation and job creation in sectors such as renewables manufacturing."