CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS MUST BE BACKED UP BY ACTION

Angus MP, Mike Weir, has welcomed the publication of the government’s Climate Change Bill but has warned that targets must be followed by action and that there must be an effort to create a public consensus behind moves to tackle climate change. 

“Climate change is undoubtedly the major threat facing is today and the bill is an important step forward.  We are to have specific legally binding targets, but they should be annual targets, albeit with some flexibility, rather than five year targets which will inevitably stretch over more than one parliament.

“Targets must be backed up by action.  For example the SNP are proposing fair connection charges to harness offshore wind and also calling for proper financial packages to be put in place to prove the potential of carbon capture.  Scotland has huge potential for renewable energy and we must grasp the opportunity.

“It is essential that there is not only a cross party consensus on climate change but also a public consensus.  This will only make progress of the public accept the changes that are required.  In that respect the government must ensure that they do not simply attempt a “one size fits all” solution but take account of the realities of different parts of the country.

“This will require both the UK government and the Scottish Executive to rebalance policies.  Years of centralising services have meant that in many rural areas cars are essential.

“There is a contradiction at the heart of government.  On the one hand they are calling for less car travel, yet their current post office closure programme, for example, will result in more car journeys.   Whilst they are calling for less use of air travel they are negotiating an open skies policy with the United States which will undoubtedly lead to greater air travel.”