CCC: SNP/Green agreement already having impact
The cooperation deal that put Greens in government has shown a “change of priorities” for Scotland, which is “already having an important impact”, the Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change has said.
Giving evidence to MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Chris Stark said the ministerial briefs given to Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater “is a reflection of the change in priorities” for government.
He said: “It’s really good that these ministerial portfolios are in place, and it is very clear from my perspective that that is already having an important impact. It’s probably most obvious in the housing space and the transport space. We’ve got these big packages of spending now to decarbonise buildings in Scotland and big packages of spending and priority being given to things like active travel.”
He said the focus on a just transition was “commendable”, claiming Scotland was now leading on this agenda, but added that more needed to be done to tackle emissions from aviation, industry and agriculture.
Commenting, Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “The recognition that having Greens in government has already had an impact is most welcome, but Chris Stark is right that we need to turn funding and priorities into action.
“The importance of a Just Transition cannot be understated, and the Climate Change Committee is clear Scotland is doing more in this space than other parts of the UK. Instead of scaring communities about this, the Scottish Conservatives should put pressure on the UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead and invest in the alternatives to oil and gas.”