Scotland leads global climate change efforts

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2009-06-24

World leading climate change legislation has been passed by the Scottish Parliament - backing SNP calls for Scotland to set an international example in tackling climate change.

The SNP Government bill includes a target of an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050; Annual emission reduction targets will be introduced from 2010, set at at least 3% each year from 2020; an interim target of 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, guided by independent, scientific evidence and Local Authorities will be able to offer Council Tax discounts to help pay for the costs of home energy efficiency and microrenewable projects.

Speaking in the debate SNP MSP and Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said; 

"The decisions we make here will shape the Bill and shape the future of Scotland."

He was supported by Cabinet Secretary John Swinney who added;

"We can today rightly and justifiably claim that the Scottish Parliament is going to pass world-leading climate change legislation that can set an example to others.

"The climate change issue affects all of the peoples of our planet.

"However large or small our relevant contributions are in terms of emissions we have a duty to make a contribution to that process at this stage."

"Today Parliament sets an example to the people of Scotland of what we need to do in all of our lives to make our contribution to tackle climate change."

Speaking after the bill was passed SNP Lothians MSP and Member of the Parliament's Climate Change Committee Shirley Anne Somerville said;

“Scotland’s climate change legislation is world leading and it is now up to all of us to live up to our ambition and take real steps to combat climate change.

“This bill is just the start of the process of meeting our commitment to lead the world in tackling climate change.

“Crucially this bill not only sets significant targets but includes the means to get there with actions to improve energy efficiency at home with council tax discounts as incentives and in all public buildings as well as measures to inform the public of the climate change challenge ahead of us.

“It is now for us in Scotland to live up to this challenge, and for those meeting at Copenhagen in December to follow Scotland’s lead and to take bold action with ambitious targets.”

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