Scotland can afford no more vagueness or delays on climate promises

Scotland under a microscope

Today the UK’s Climate Change Committee has published a new report into the progress being made to reduce emissions in Scotland.

Responding to the report, Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “The Government’s climate advisors have been clear: on paper, Scotland’s climate plans are laudable; but it’s beyond time that those promises were taken off the page and turned into deliverable policies. 

“At COP26 we saw the Scottish Government lead the world by committing specific funds to help poor communities around the world who are already facing the irreversible impacts of climate change. But unless Scotland gets on track to meet its own emission reductions targets, that leadership will be completely undermined: it’d be like throwing a brick through someone’s window and then offering to replace the glass.  

“Those facing more poverty and hunger from a crisis Scotland continues to make worse, won’t judge Scotland’s progress on the basis of long-term promises, but on whether we cut emissions quickly and deeply now. After a hattrick of missed emissions targets, we can afford no more vagueness and no more delays.”   

/ENDS    

   

For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450