Scottish Green New Deal unveiled
The Scottish Greens have unveiled a new campaign to transform Scotland’s economy.
The Scottish Green New Deal would use every lever available to the Scottish Government to respond to the challenges of outrageous inequality, growing poverty, and the climate emergency with the urgency that is needed.
This means
- Rebuilding the public sector, providing long-term certainty for the private sector
- Channelling investment into low-carbon industries to transition energy and manufacturing
- Regional industrial strategies to target support to those who need it most
- Green and integrated public transport
- Restoring the natural environment by reforming land ownership and farming subsidies
- A housing revolution to ensure warm and affordable homes
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “We are in a climate emergency and so Scotland needs to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is vital we do this in a way which creates thousands of quality jobs and improves people’s lives.
“We need to fundamentally reform our economy so that it serves the people of Scotland and our planet.
“That means the Scottish Government using every power available, including rebuilding a public sector that has been weakened, sold off and made to serve the interests of big business by successive governments.
“It’s time to turn that around so that publicly owned banks, energy companies and other institutions can play a big and direct role in building a green economy, just like happens in many European countries.
“The climate emergency requires an emergency response."
Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: “It’s not enough to say it’s a climate emergency, we need governments to act.
“With only six MSPs the Scottish Greens have made a considerable impact on Scotland, and with this new ambitious vision we will use that influence to push for the actions needed, including on infrastructure, farming, manufacturing and housing.
“I work in renewable energy engineering, and it is completely misguided to argue that we need to wait until the technology is ready, or for independence. We have the technology now, and the climate emergency will not wait for independence.”
“Of course, a Scottish Green New Deal could be even more substantial with the full powers of independence, and that is why we will continue to argue that case.
“I encourage our members and stakeholders to help us develop this vision in detail in the coming year. The work must start now.”
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