Dr Sam Gardner head of policy at WWF Scotland: Seven years after the Climate Change Act was passed and just months after the historic climate deal in Paris, the newly elected Scottish Government now needs to seize the moment and put in place the policies to deliver that future. Policies that decarbonise how we heat our buildings and homes, policies which finally drive down transport emissions that remain stuck at the same level they were over 25 years ago and policies that ensure that no one should live in a cold home. The SNP’s manifesto committed to introducing a new Climate Change Bill to reset the 2020 ambition following the Paris Agreement. The Bill will provide a welcome focus on the importance of tackling climate change and is an opportunity for all parties to pursue new low carbon policies. However, we should remember that it was the SNP’s first Climate Change Delivery Plan in 2009 that said very clearly that “legislation alone won’t deliver the targets”. If the new Climate Bill is to take us forward it’s critical that it not only secures the same unanimous political support that the 2009 Climate Change Act enjoyed but that it also doesn’t divert attention away from the pressing need for action. A failure to take sufficient steps to cut emissions has meant that Scotland has overshot its carbon budget by 8 per cent. More than anything the message out of Paris was that the window of opportunity to prevent dangerous climate change is closing very fast and we all must redouble our efforts now if we’re to secure the rewards of a zero carbon future.
Scotsman 19th May 2016 read more »
Scotland boasts the biggest percentage of companies active in the low carbon sector, with 5.2% of non-financial Scottish businesses involved in clean tech, energy efficiency and renewables and providing the equivalent of 21,500 full time jobs. WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “These figures underline the importance of low-carbon businesses to Scotland and the rest of the UK, by helping grow our economy and creating jobs. “However, if we are to enjoy the multiple benefits of the transition to a zero-carbon future, we need our political leaders to commit to a renewable energy future by bringing forward the policies to realise our potential.” He said Scotland could become the EU’s first fully renewable electricity nation by 2030, but only if Scottish ministers committed to the shift and ensured their forthcoming energy strategy focused on renewables, reducing demand and developing energy storage.
Business Quarter 18th May 2016 read more »
Scottish Energy News 19th May 2016 read more »