Programme for Government will be major test of SNP’s climate commitment
Responding to the announcement that the SNP's next Programme for Government will be presented in May, the Scottish Greens have called for plans for serious and sustained climate action.
It is less than two weeks since Ministers watered down the Heat in Buildings Bill, undermining any chance that Scotland has of hitting climate targets.
Scottish Green Co-Leader Lorna Slater said:
“The First Minister has promised a year of delivery, and our climate has to be at the heart of it.
“With bills soaring and stretching households and families to their limits, it is vital that we move away from fossil fuels and support people in making green choices.
“That means acting to cut the eye watering prices that people are being forced to pay for public transport, and providing far more support for green energy and insulating homes.
“Yet, at a time when our climate needs us, the SNP has watered down its Heat in Buildings plan, a move that will only tie more people to costly and damaging fossil fuels.
“The next Programme for Government must show more ambition if it is really to be a year of delivery.
“We have a lot of skilled engineers and workers in our country, and they can be at the heart of a green transition if there is a political will for it.
“The wildfires we have seen over recent days and weeks underline how important it is that we take serious and sustained climate action. Anything less will see our communities paying the price.”