SCOTLAND LEADS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BILL

SCOTLAND LEADS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BILL

SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville today (Friday) welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government's innovative Climate Change Bill.

Ms Somerville is a Member of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee which will be the lead Committee scrutinising the Bill as it passes through Parliament.

Ms Somerville said:-

“The Scottish Climate Change Bill is a bold and ambitious piece of legislation which shows the Scottish Government’s unstinting commitment to playing its part in the global fight against climate change. We have a moral and environmental obligation to cut emissions, and we are now laying down the legal framework to make sure it happens.

“Scotland already led the UK with its ambitious target to cut emissions by 80% by 2050. With this legislation we will be putting Scotland at the forefront of the green revolution and leading the world on this issue.

“I am delighted that the emissions target will include the whole basket of greenhouse gases, and will also include our share of emissions from international shipping and aviation. The SNP Government is not shirking its responsibilities to cut emissions, and I hope Labour at Westminster follows suit.

“It’s not only the legislation that’s ambitious; the Scottish Government is taking creative action at all levels to build a greener Scotland. From the £10million international Saltire Prize for advances in marine energy to the £27.4million Climate Challenge Fund for community projects - the Scottish Government is showing its ambition for Scotland and putting its money where its mouth is.

“I welcome the publication of this Bill and I look forward to working with the Scottish Government and all stakeholders to help create a greener, more sustainable future for Scotland.”