Work not yet done on Climate Change – McInnes (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Work not yet done on Climate Change – McInnes

June 24, 2009 10:50 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

North East MSP Alison McInnes has welcomed the higher greenhouse gas emissions targets that were agreed by the Scottish Parliament in it's consideration of the Climate Change Bill today (Wednesday), but has cautioned that there is still work to be done in order to actually meet them.

MSPs agreed to set a target of 42% reduction in emissions by 2020, and also agreed to a cumulative emissions budget. However, the SNP voted down amendments tabled by Mrs McInnes that would have ensured 3% yearly reductions - the amount needed to reach the 2020 target.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"I'm naturally delighted that the Parliament backed my amendments to introduce a cumulative emissions budget. This concession will ensure that the annual targets that are set are based firmly on the science of what is needed to successfully tackle climate change.

"I'm also pleased that the other parties have finally come around to the Liberal Democrats' point of view that an ambitious, 42% interim target is vital for this Bill to have a real impact.

"However, the caveats that Labour and the SNP inserted mean that we cannot yet celebrate our strong Bill. The SNP's refusal to endorse 3% reductions from the outset - originally a manifesto promise of theirs - is a worrying indication that they are not yet fully behind the 42% target.

"Passing this Bill is by no means the end of our work on climate change, and it is vitally important that we continue to press the Government and ensure that Scotland's new Climate Change Law is about action, and not just words."