SNP join thousands on climate change march

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2009-12-05

SNP parliamentarians joined thousands of protestors as they took to the streets of Glasgow as part of Scotland’s biggest ever climate change demonstration.

The Wave – organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition – comes just days ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen.

The Scottish Government’s Climate Change Act, passed earlier this year, is the most ambitious in the industrialised world, committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2050.

Commenting, Alyn Smith MEP, who will be in Copenhagen with the European Parliament delegation next week, said:

"Given Scotland's world-leading framework for tackling climate change it is outrageous that the UK Government have sidelined Scotland from the Copenhagen conference – even at this late stage, they must reconsider.

"The UK Government’s stance makes no sense, and Scotland should be at the centre of this process, not relegated to the fringes by Labour in London.

"This whole situation underlines exactly why Scotland must be independent

- so that we can have our own seat at the top table."

SNP MSP Sandra White, who put down a parliamentary motion in support of the event, added:

"The scale of this event shows people across Scotland are committed to tackling climate change head on.

"Scotland is taking a global lead on the fight against climate change and is working hard with our partners across Europe, and the world, to develop green economic opportunities for Scotland and a sustainable future for our planet."

Note:

Sandra White MSP’s Motion is detailed below:

S3M-05238 Sandra White (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Time to Make a Wave— That the Parliament notes the decision of Glasgow City Council to ban from the centre of Glasgow The Wave, billed as Scotland’s biggest ever climate change demonstration; believes that, given the importance of highlighting the need to stop climate change and save the planet, this march should be given the full support of Glasgow City Council rather than being confined to the outskirts of the city centre, and calls on Glasgow City Council to reconsider its decision.

Lodged on Thursday, November 19, 2009; Current