Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, who met with the First Minister this morning to discuss Scotland’s climate progress and priorities for COP 28, said:
“The First Minister’s strongly stated determination to show leadership on climate action in Scotland and internationally, including at COP 28, are very encouraging but won’t define his climate legacy. History will instead judge the First Minister on whether or not his Scottish Government swiftly and seriously invests in the decarbonisation and just transition required in order for Scotland to – at a minimum – consistently meet its legal climate targets.
“Transformative climate action requires transformative investment, so the burning question for the First Minister today is: where’s that money going to come from? We all know it’s only right that the biggest and richest polluters – who have set our planet on fire – are compelled to foot the bill, rather than hard-pressed households.
“The First Minister must therefore use next month’s Scottish Budget to start fairly raising the additional funds needed for transformative climate action, while using every tool in his power to incentivise the biggest and richest polluters to change their damaging behaviours.”
/ENDS
For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450