PATRICK Harvie has accused the Scottish and UK governments of taking a “business as usual” approach to tackling the climate emergency. The Scottish Greens co-leader claimed his party is the only one to recognise the emergency of the situation, and said the climate targets currently set out are not sufficient. It comes after MSPs in September voted to back the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Bill, which commits Scotland to a 75% cut in emissions by 2030. Harvie’s party had called for the target to be increased to 80%. He said: “The Scottish Greens are the only party that is taking the climate crisis seriously. “The Scottish and UK governments both claim to recognise the urgency of the climate crisis, but their business as usual actions tell a different story. “We are the only political party that recognises that we are in an emergency situation and has actually produced an emergency response. “Far flung targets might be good enough for the Tories and the SNP, but Greens recognise that bold action is required now if we are to heed the warning of the climate strikers.” Harvie was speaking as a report published by the New Economics Foundation suggested a transition to a zero-carbon economy would be a “major opportunity” to re-energise manufacturing in Scotland and create “thousands of well-paid, lasting, and unionised jobs”.
National 4th Nov 2019 read more »
All new renewable energy projects in Scotland should have to guarantee a minimum level of locally-made parts and local workers, according to a new report published today by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) think tank. The report argues the Scottish government should build on the recent launch of its Just Transition Commission and take specific steps to ensure local communities enjoy more of the economic gains that should flow from renewables projects. Policies designed to ensure infrastructure projects rely more heavily on local suppliers can run into challenges associated with state aid and competition law, but the new NEF report argues there are steps the Scottish government can take independently of the Westminster government that would help maximise the number of jobs that result from new renewables investments.
Business Green 4th Nov 2019 read more »