THE body set up to advise Scottish ministers on how to maximise the social and economic opportunities offered by the move to a carbon neutral economy will make its first recommendations within two years of its inaugural meeting. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham revealed the remit of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission, along with its first members, as she attended the UN climate change Conference of the Parties (COP24) in Katowice, Poland. Professor Jim Skea will chair the commission, whose first members were revealed as Charlie Hartley, a member of 2050 Climate Group that engages with young people in Scotland to take action on climate change; founding director of the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Energy Policy, Professor Karen Turner; and Tom Shields, CEO of the Spring Rise consultancy. Cunningham said: “We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality while growing a sustainable economy that improves the opportunities, life chances and wellbeing of every citizen of Scotland, and I am absolutely determined that this will be done in a way that is socially inclusive. “That is why I previously announced that Professor Jim Skea would chair a commission to explore how the transition to carbon neutrality can help us meet our other economic and social ambitions. “I am now delighted to confirm the appointment of the commission’s initial members.
The National 11th Dec 2018 read more »