Climate Change and Business
Wed., December 03, 2008. 16:13.
Climate Change Bill: Scottish Government must commit to business pledges
Robin Harper
Ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government's Climate Change Bill, Green MSP Robin Harper has lodged a motion urging Ministers to commit the public sector to a series of simple pledges on climate change. (1) The pledges come from the May Day Network, a campaign established by Scottish Business in the Community, and one which the Greens are supporting. (2)
Robin Harper MSP said:
"The Scottish Climate Change Bill will determine whether Scotland will be known as a climate pioneer or a climate pariah. The six objectives set out by Scottish Business in the Community are practical and sensible, and they could all easily be adopted by the Scottish public sector, from schools to the civil service. While we need legislation to deliver binding cuts in pollution, so much can be done directly by Ministers if they have the will to do so.
"Over the last few months the SNP have pledged some significant improvements to their Bill, but there is still much more to do before it can really help deliver the successful low carbon Scotland we are all committed to. Above all, Ministers must set sector-by-sector plans for emissions reductions, not just general targets. This will mean radical policy changes on energy and transport, policy shifts that can turn around our flagging economy and make this country independent from fossil fuels. I hope they will act. If not, Parliament must step up and improve this legislation."
Lisa Dransfield, External Relations Manager for Scottish Business in the Community, said:
"Scottish Business in the Community believes that the private sector has a crucial role to play in delivering the 80% target reduction in emissions. Businesses repeatedly tell us they want a one stop shop for advice and a simple framework to achieve their reductions. The May Day Network offers this service but it needs financial support to help organisations deliver against the pledges they take."
Notes
1. Robin Harper's motion reads as follows:
The May Day Network: That the Parliament congratulates Scottish Business in the Community for the part they are playing in the setting up of the May Day Network and the Climate Change Business Delivery Group; recognises the May Day Network is designed to encourage companies to 'make a pledge' to monitor, report and cut their carbon emissions and help progress companies towards a low-carbon model; further recognises that the May Day now has over 1300 members across the UK, with all members having committed to tackling climate change by pledging to take one or more of the following six actions - calculating their carbon footprint, reporting their carbon footprint publicly, setting an absolute emissions reduction target for the company and taking action to meet it, encouraging employees to reduce their carbon footprint at home and work, mobilising customers to take action and to work in partnership with suppliers to reduce emissions in the supply chain, and calls upon the Scottish Government to demonstrate its environmental leadership by requiring all public sector organisations also to commit to taking all six of these same actions.
2. See: http://www.sbcscot.com/ClimateChange
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.