SNP CONFERENCE TO OPEN WITH CLIMATE CHANGE CALL

SNP CONFERENCE TO OPEN WITH CLIMATE CHANGE CALL

SNP Conference, which begins on Thursday (15th) in Inverness will open
with a call for other countries to follow Scotland’s lead and agree to
ambitious plans to combat climate change at Copenhagen.

The Scottish Government’s Climate Change legislation is considered by
international environmental organisations to be world leading, setting a
target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020.

The UK Government, who have set a lesser target of 34%, continue to refuse
to allow a Scottish Minister to join the UK delegation in Copenhagen.

Conference will open with a resolution calling on the UK Government and
other industrialised nations to follow Scotland’s example.

SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“Scotland has led the way in legislation to tackle climate change. Our
bill is world leading and it is achievable but there must be an
international agreement that ambitious targets must be set.

“It is ridiculous that despite the example Scotland has set to the world
the UK Government refuses to allow a Scottish Minister to join the
delegation to explain to the rest of the world why they must show the same
ambition we have.

“SNP Conference is meeting in Inverness. Around the Highlands we have one
of the main tools for tackling climate change – our clear green renewable
energy. The wave, tidal and offshore wind resources in Scotland are second
to none.

“Climate Change must be tackled. The developing world is already feeling
the impact of climate change and we have a responsibility to take action.

“Copenhagen is the world’s chance to make the right decision. Scotland has
made the right decision on climate change. We have got what it takes to
tackle climate change if we work hard and invest in our green energy
future. It is time for the rest of the world to follow suit.”

Later in the week the Conference will also debate the economic potential
of tackling climate change with a call for the Scottish Government to
investigate and promote hydrogen fuel cell technology and the viability of
wind-hydrogen.

SNP MSP Rob Gibson commented:

“A hydrogen economy could bring significant benefits to Scotland.

“The prospect of a ‘Hydrogen Corridor’ between Aberdeen and Inverness is
an exciting first for Scotland and the UK. The creation of an
infrastructure to refuel road vehicles with hydrogen means that there will
be a realistic alternative to petrol and diesel.

“We have pioneered the hydrogen car through projects like Pure on Unst it
is now time for Scotland to go further.”