Climate Change Bill : "Now the Hard Work Begins"
Wed., June 24, 2009. 20:10.
Passage of Climate Change Bill
Today's passage of the Climate Change Bill was described by the Scottish Greens as the first key battle in Scotland's efforts to tackle climate change. On several issues, Parliament forced the SNP to go further, but the Bill remains flawed in several key areas, and major loopholes exist around the targets set in the Bill.
Green amendments to require aviation and shipping to be accounted for were agreed, and all future Scottish budgets will need to show the carbon costs of each item. Parliament also blocked Labour's attempt to block action on plastic bags.
On the other hand, Patrick Harvie's amendments to take the interim target to 50% were rejected, despite the strong scientific evidence for action on this scale. Parliament also voted to allow a higher proportion of the reductions to be "offshored", rather than coming from real change here in Scotland.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"We secured some important victories today, some of which could make a significant difference over the long term. All future Scottish Budgets must now be carbon costed, and we made sure Ministers could not exempt aviation and shipping from the targets. Parliament also blocked Labour's attempt to strike proposals on plastic bags.
"This Bill is Scotland's first key battle on climate change, and, although we sustained some losses, the campaigners and the Green movement have won a narrow victory. Now the hard work begins. The SNP are destined to fail completely on climate change unless they change tack on transport, power generation and energy efficiency.
"Although the target has been raised, SNP Ministers have identified a loophole that would bring back the original lower target, and they have already told us how they plan to misuse it. Parliament and the climate campaigners will need to be vigilant and determined to hold this slippery administration to its promises, especially when they reach for the constitutional comfort blanket of their traditional squabbles with London."
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.