Scottish Labour will today become the latest political party to back a long term net zero emission target, setting out proposals to strengthen Scotland’s targets for 2050 and introduce a new Just Transition Commission to ensure they are met without undermining employment and industrial communities. The Party will publish a new decarbonisation plan at an event at the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig later today, calling for a new net zero emission target by “at least 2050” backed by interim targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions 56 per cent by 2020 and 77 per cent by 2030. The targets would represent an upgrade on the Scottish government’s recently proposed goal to cut emissions 90 per cent against 1990 levels by 2050, backed by periodic review periods to assess whether the target should be strengthened. The 90 per cent target is one of the most ambitious in the world and will form the centrepiece of a new Scottish Climate Change Bill. However, it was criticised by green groups when it was announced earlier this year, who argued Scotland should emulate Sweden and New Zealand and adopt a net zero emission goal. Claudia Beamish MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform for Scottish Labour, will today argue the economic and moral case for adopting a net zero target is now compelling.
Business Green 13th Aug 2018 read more »
