World Environment Day: Greens demand stronger climate action
On World Environment Day, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has urged the Scottish Government to recommit to real climate and nature action, warning that recent decisions risk undoing vital progress.
World Environment Day 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution, one of the most pressing but solvable environmental problems the world faces. Mr Ruskell has highlighted that while tackling plastic pollution is crucial, Scotland must also focus on restoring nature and protecting its unique environment.
The Scottish Greens secured the Natural Environment Bill as a cornerstone of their power-sharing Bute House agreement with the SNP. The Bill, currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament, aims to strengthen Scotland’s natural habitats and help reverse the decline in biodiversity.
He also raised concerns around the Scottish Government’s commitment to environmental goals following their failure to see through key pledges of a new National Park in Galloway, and concerns that the upcoming Natural Environment Bill doesn’t go far enough.
Mr Ruskell said:
“The Natural Environment Bill is a vital step toward rebuilding Scotland’s ecosystems. We pushed for this while we were in Government, with ambitious targets for nature recovery, woodland and peatland creation, and better protection for our marine environments by 2026.
“However, the Scottish Government’s recent record on climate action sets alarm bells ringing. I am concerned that the Bill as it stands won’t go far enough and could potentially undermine environmental protections.
“As the Natural Environment Bill makes its way to becoming legislation, the SNP need to decide who they stand with. Is it the rural elites that prioritise private gain over public good or is it those who are fighting to make Scotland a fairer, greener place to live?
“The recent u-turn on Galloway’s National Park designation was a short-sighted betrayal of the communities who had hoped to see their landscape protected and it won’t be quickly forgotten.
“With World Environment Day highlighting the urgent need to act on protecting our planet, Scotland must lead by example. We need to invest in nature, not cut from it. The Greens will keep fighting for the bold environmental action our future depends on.”