The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Anger as generators are moved to power electric vehicles for COP26 VIPS
Large external generators will be transported across Scotland to power electric vehicles carrying dignitaries to a world climate change event in Glasgow.
Electric vehicles carrying international delegates from venues including Gleneagles to events in Glasgow during COP26 will be powered by generators due to a lack of charging provision at accommodation sites, it is understood.
The great and the good staying in Glasgow will be offered travel passes to attend events over the 12day programme, but those staying further away will be carried in Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles.
However there is no stipulation that international visitors travelling to COP26 as delegates do so by the provided electric vehicles and some may choose to use their own.
Because of the sheer number of journeys expected to be taken, externally powered generators will be used to charge the cars and SUVS.
These will be fuelled, the UK Government has insisted, with hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO).
A COP26 spokesperson said: “Delegates are encouraged to use public transport as much as possible, with those accredited to the Blue Zone being given travel passes which allow access to a range of public transport options.
“World leaders will be provided with EVS for the duration of their stay.”
Sustainable transport campaigners are furious that sufficient electric chargers have not been made available, and insisted heads of state should instead make use of the free electric shuttle bus service.
Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said: “It’s disgraceful that the UK Government is scrambling to put in chipfat powered generators at the very last minute.
“Governments are great at pretending to take action on sustainable transport, but this reveals the complete lack of preparedness for the wholesale switch away from fossil fuel cars that we require.
“Of course, what we do have in Glasgow is a fleet of new electric buses. So perhaps this should be used as an opportunity to get some of these world leaders out of their cars and on to buses.”
Announcing the Jaguar SUVS’ COP26 role, the UK Government said: “The vehicles have been sourced from existing fleets, helping ensure the carbon footprint remains low.”
A Gleneagles Hotel spokesperson said: “No charging generators have been set up at Gleneagles and we’re not aware of the details of those plans.”
“Get some of these world leaders out of their cars and on to buses
The climate crisis is likely to bring further disruption to Scotland’s food supplies as extreme weather becomes more common across the globe.
Dundee University expert Dr Alexandra Morel is highlighting the risk of shortages and price spikes in many family staples ahead of the COP26 global climate talks which start in Glasgow later this month.
Around 45% of the food consumed in the UK is imported.
Popular products such as pasta, coffee, chocolate and rice are among those vulnerable to supply problems as the world warms.
Dr Morel says Scotland’s dependence on food imports makes the country vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The ecosystem scientist said: “There are huge challenges to food production because almost every aspect of the sector is vulnerable to a changing climate.
“Extreme weather such as heavy rainfall can delay or prevent harvesting of crops.
“While extreme heat could result in temperatures too high for farm staff to work safely in the field.”
She said recent problems with the durum wheat harvest had affected pasta production.
Supplies of coffee arabica, produced in East Africa, and chocolate from cocoa farmed in West Africa are also vulnerable, she added, saying: “Small holders grow a lot of cocoa. It is not grown on large plantations. Farmers don’t have lots of money to invest to adaptations to deal with climate change.”
Current food shortages prompted by a shortage of HGV drivers could be a signal of what is to come.
She added: “That is my concern. We have seen how supermarket systems do not allows for these kinds of shocks.
“We are vulnerable. But it also presents us with an opportunity. There are plenty of things that we can be doing.
“For example, working with local farmers or on food production technologies.”
She said we must learn from current disruption.
“We can come together around food – because we all like to eat it – in a constructive and empowering way.”
Dr Morel will be discussing the future of food with a panel of guest speakers at a free, online event on Thursday.
The Festival Of The Future COP26 Series: Food takes place from 2–3.30pm.
Attendees must book the virtual event in advance.