Size doesn’t matter
The environmental actions of small countries like Scotland do make a difference, argues Sturgeon
NICOLA Sturgeon has claimed size “does not matter” when it comes to countries tackling climate change.
In a speech ahead of COP26, the First Minister also warned Scotland must “be careful” not to leave communities behind in the transition away from oil and gas.
World leaders like US President Joe Biden will gather in Glasgow at the end of the month for what has been described as a “last chance” summit to secure a global climate change deal.
Campaigners are hopeful stringent targets will be set for all countries but fears exist any deal will be not bold enough.
At a TED Talk in Edinburgh, Sturgeon spoke about her Government’s blueprint for a net zero future.
Although COP26 is hosted by the UK, the First Minister is expected to have a high profile during the two-week event.
She said: “I’m going to start today with a question. In other contexts, perhaps a risque question, not one you would expect from somebody in my position in a talk about climate change, but it’s important. Does size matter? No.”
She said it was “important” to talk about the contributions of giants such as America, Russia, China and Brazil, but she insisted the action of small countries “matters too”. She singled out Estonia and Fiji for special praise and said 130 countries of all sizes had followed suit on the carbon neutral agenda. She said: “A country like Scotland, with our rich, industrial past, has a special responsibility. We have disproportionately contributed to climate change, so we must do more now to help tackle climate change. “So in recent years, Scotland, this small country, has decarbonized faster than any G20 country.”
She continued: “We must think big in our ambition. We must act big in what we do and we must be big when it comes to the impact we make.”
However, Sturgeon’s government has been criticised for failing to meet its own climate change targets in recent years. She has also been blasted for failing to oppose the new Cambo oil field development near Shetland, a project critics believe is inconsistent with a commitment to the planet.
At the event, Sturgeon again refused to voice opposition to the Cambo development. She stressed the supply of oil and gas cannot be turned off completely in the short term because that may lead to a spike in imports, as well as mass lay-offs.
“We’ve got to be careful that we don’t leave people and communities behind in that transition,” the First Minister said.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “The Ted Talk helps Nicola Sturgeon’s profile. However, with almost half of all Scottish species at risk, we urgently need the Scottish government to lead by action. That must include an immediate ban on new incinerators and opposing the Cambo oil field.”