Ban fossil fuel vehicles from city centres by 2030, urges Climate Emergency Response Group

The Scottish Government should ban fossil fuel vehicles from city centres by 2030 as part of plans to respond to climate change, according to a group of civil society organizations.

The Climate Emergency Response Group, made up of 19 organisations including WWF Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust, Scottish Land and Estates and the University of Edinburgh, has set out a 12-point-plan of measures aimed at keeping global temperature rises under 1.5C.

The proposals include four new Green City Region Deals, using the £11bn of annual public procurement to support product and service innovation, producing public guidance on sustainable, climate-friendly, healthy diets, and a £100m Agricultural Modernisation Fund.

The groups have called on ministers to make regional land use plans for maximising the potential of Scotland’s land and to establish a public-interest company to invest in and operate Carbon Capture and Storage infrastructure.

Lynette Purves, Chair of 2050 Climate Group said: “Everyone wins if we tackle the climate emergency. This is especially true for our young people, who hold the greatest stake in our planet’s future.

“Young people all across the world are calling upon those in power to act urgently to tackle the climate crisis, and, by their inspiring actions, they have brought the matter into the spotlight on a global scale. On behalf of the young climate leaders in our organisation, we proudly support immediate action in order to accelerate our progress to a just and sustainable society.”

Scottish Land and Estates executive director Sarah-Jane Laing said: “Scotland’s land, and the people who care for and manage it, can play a vital role in Scotland’s climate emergency response. Tree planting, the restoration of peatlands and soils, and productive, efficient and sustainable agriculture, all offer long-term economic opportunities for Scotland’s rural areas.

“Supporting Scotland’s land managers and farmers with preparing for new opportunities and for the future must be a priority in the Scottish Government’s response to the climate emergency.”