Activists call for climate measures to be ramped up
Dozens of organisations have urged the Scottish Government to ramp up measures to tackle climate change, a year ahead of COP26.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland ( SCCS) has outlined steps to drive down emissions and increase support for communities across the world which are hit by the crisis.
The 55- strong coalition urged the Scottish Government to take advantage of hosting the summit to bolster its climate action record by implementing measures to reduce emissions.
Tom Ballantine, chairman of SCCS, said: "We know that successive COPS have failed to deliver the climate action we need. Millions of people are already suffering from droughts, floods, fires and food shortages, despite them doing virtually nothing to cause this crisis.
"The clock is ticking and we desperately need COP26 in Glasgow to be a turning point for climate justice.
"The Scottish and UK governments will never have a greater opportunity to influence global climate action and it's time to seize it.
"Scotland has a relatively strong track record, with some of the most ambitious climate targets in the global north.
Now is the time to bolster that record and use it to drive up ambition in other parts of the world.
"With Scotland' s Climate Change Plan currently being updated, the Scottish Government has the chance to show genuine global leadership by demonstrating that we are prepared to put in place the measures needed to meet our strong targets."
The COP26 climate talks will be the biggest international summit the UK has ever hosted. Its aim is to bring together more than 30,000 delegates – including heads of state, climate experts and campaigners – to agree on measures to tackle environmental issues.
Covid- 19 delayed the conference for a year and it will now take place in November 2021.
A Scottish Government spokesman said :" We remain absolutely committed to a green recovery and to ending Scotland's contribution to climate change by 2045.
"But just as we will ensure a just transition to net- zero in Scotland, we recognise our moral obligation to help set the world on course to net- zero in a way that is fair for all."
He added: "Climate justice recognises that the poor and vulnerable at home and overseas are the first to be affected by climate change.
"Scotland will therefore use COP26 as an opportunity not just to showcase our world- leading ambition but also to increase international engagement in our approach.”
A UK Government spokesman said :" The UK Gover nment is committed to delivering a successful and inclusive COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and our ministers, senior officials and global diplomatic network have been hard at work engaging with countries around the world to secure ambitious climate action.
"This includes work on scaling up support so those most urgently affected by climate change can adapt to our changing environment.”