Scottish Government must commit to end greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Stop Climate Chaos warns

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The Scottish Government’s action against climate change falls “far short of what’s needed” and ministers must commit to ending greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Stop Climate Chaos has warned.

With the Scottish Government’s consultation on a new Climate Change Bill opening, environmental campaigners have urged ministers to commit to a target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a reduction of 77 per cent by 2030.

Launching a new campaign for stronger action, ‘Act for Our Future’, Dr Richard Dixon of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said “time is running out if Scotland is to lead the way to a zero carbon future”.

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SCCS said a bolder Climate Change Bill would create jobs, improve health and reduce poverty domestically, while also ensuring Scotland plays its part in helping the world’s most vulnerable people cope with the effects of climate change.

The coalition of environmental campaigners have called on ministers to take account of climate aims in drawing up future budgets and to ensure that all homes have at least Energy Performance Rating ‘C’ by 2025.

SCCS urged the Government to phase out the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2030 to reduce emissions, clean up air pollution and improve the nation’s health.

Dixon said: “Climate change is already affecting people and nature, here in Scotland and around the world. Time is running out if Scotland is to lead the way to a zero carbon future, but with real action and ambition, a bold new Climate Change Bill can change that.

“A Bill that truly delivers on the Paris Agreement must be one that says, by 2050 at the latest, Scotland will no longer be contributing to the global problem of climate change, and that steps-up action in the short-term to cut emissions from our homes, our travel and our food.

“Our future can be a zero carbon one, but only with strong action from our leaders. This campaign is an opportunity for everyone in Scotland to remind politicians that action on climate change is popular and will create new jobs, improve public health and reduce poverty, creating a better, prosperous future for us all.

“With the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, we have a chance to do our fair share in tackling this global challenge but the targets and actions the Scottish Government are proposing fall far short of what’s needed. That’s why we’re asking as many people as possible to send a message to the First Minister that now is the time to act for our future.”