Californian Governor Backs Innovative Scottish Climate Change Bill

Scottish Parliament Passes Climate Change Bill

A major piece of legislation introduced by the Scottish Government to tackle climate change was passed in a Bill approved by the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday 24th June 2009).

The Scottish Climate Change Bill sets a target of reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, including emissions from international aviation and shipping. It also sets an interim target for a 42 per cent cut in emissions by 2020.

Speaking following the vote, Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber MSP, Fergus Ewing said:

"We can all be proud of this Bill, this is the most ambitious and comprehensive piece of climate change legislation approved by a Government anywhere in the world. As a country Scotland is leading global action and expects others to follow the lead we have taken. I am proud to be a member of the first Government to take such action.

"Setting targets is not an end in itself, it is delivery that matters. In the Scottish Government Delivery Plan announced last week a vision of how we will achieve our targets was clearly set out, demanding action now and in the future.

"Climate change can be seen as a real opportunity, not just a threat. And it is a challenge that many firms in my constituency are already meeting. Scotland can harness the energy related opportunities presented by our natural resources and can create tens of thousands of jobs, many here in the Highlands, and help us emerge from the global economic downturn on the back of a strong green economic revival.

I hope that the many constituents who wrote to me about this Bill will with me welcome that the SNP Government has met the challenge of climate change head on with an outstanding and innovative Bill.”


Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger also gave his backing to the Bill.

He said:

"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. California has set aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets, but we need the help of the world to tackle the most pressing environmental issue of our time.

"Scotland's ambitious and comprehensive targets encourage other nations to step up to the plate as we look toward an international agreement in Copenhagen, and it sends a message to the world that we must act now and we must act swiftly."


NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. The Bill will establish a legal framework for emissions reductions in the run up to 2050.
2. Over 21,000 responses were received to the Scottish Government's consultation on a draft Climate Change Bill.