Mixed review for Scotland’s climate plan
The Scottish Government has been told its response to climate change is “good, but could still do better”.
The Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) report said there had been positive progress, with action on most of its proposals, since the First Minister announced a climate emergency in spring 2019.
The report noted that while it was fair to expect some delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been a number of opportunities to accelerate action as par t of a “green recovery” that have been missed.
The CERG report made 20 proposals for action. It rated the Scottish Government’ s reaction to the proposals, with 33 per cent having a green rating, some 57 per cent at amber, and 10 per cent at red.
The group has called on the Scottish Government to use its Climate Change Plan up date and budget, expected in the next few months, to improve these ratings and makes recommendations on how this could be done.
David Reay, professor of carbon management at the University of Edinburgh, said: “With money so very tight and so many livelihoods at risk this is exactly the time to super-charge investmen tin the creation of green jobs, and in the low carbon training and skills they require.
“These proposals are ‘shovel ready’ and can create jobs, starting today, all over Scotland.”
Fabrice Leveque, head of policy at WWF Scotland said: “A year out from crucial UN climate talks, the forthcoming Climate Change Plan is an opportunity for Scotland to show global leadership by producing a clear plan of action.”