All eyes on us to make the changes that will save the future of planet
This week and next, the world’s eyes will be on Glasgow for the COP26 conference, being hosted by the UK Government.
It is an international event of the greatest significance, giving world leaders the opportunity to take the next steps towards tackling climate change.
It is significant that the presidency of COP is currently held by the UK, given the leading role we have been taking amongst major nations.
Already, the UK Government has been praised for the actions it is taking to reduce carbon emissions.
The independent Climate Change Committee has welcomed Britain’s net-zero strategy as:“an ambitious and comprehensive strategy that marks a significant step forward for UK climate policy, setting up a globally leading benchmark to take to COP26”.
Of course, measures we take to reduce carbon emissions will have very little impact unless they are matched elsewhere.
That is why international conferences such as COP are so important, as it is only by combined action that we will be able to progress together.
We need to see countries like the US, China and Russia following Britain’s lead and making serious policy changes to reduce carbon emissions.
The conference is also important for Scotland, and the Glasgow economy in particular.
It represents a £100 million boost, particularly welcome for sectors such as hospitality, which have suffered so much due to lockdown restrictions over the last 18 months.
There is a certain irony that this ambition, and these investments, being led by the UK Government are benefitting Scotland directly, when action (or inaction) by the SNP is actually doing damage.
The real prospect of a rail strike has now, thankfully, been averted, but industrial action by refuse collectors could still cause real problems.
At the same time, there are very real concerns about the state of Glasgow as a city, where under SNP leadership there is rubbish strewn across the streets and a substantial growth in the rat population. This hardly showcases Scotland’s largest city to the rest of the world in the way that it should.
Despite these hurdles, I hope that COP will be a success, and we will see all the world nations come together to agree to tackle climate change.
We owe it to future generations to make sure that it does.
Murdo Fraser always welcomes feedback from constituents.
He can be contacted at The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL, by email on murdo.fraser.msp@ parliament.scot or by telephone on 01738 553990.