Climate bill wins first round of MSPs vote

Published on Thursday 7 May 2009 22:07

POLITICIANS voted last night in support of the general principles of the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

The legislation will set ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and by 34 per cent by 2020.

After two days of debate all political parties threw their support behind the bill, but there were calls for certain aspects to be strengthened in the next stage of the debate.

A Labour amendment for targets on greenhouse gas emissions to be set for the period between 2010 and 2019 to ensure early action was voted in.

However, Lib Dem proposals for duties to make sure local councils achieved emission reductions were not supported.

The next rounds of debate are set to focus on issues including whether to bring in a system of council tax rebates for people who improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses.

And there will be a discussion about what portion of Scotland's emissions should be cut at home, instead of relying on buying international credits for action overseas.

Des McNulty, Labour, called for 80 per cent of emissions reduction to take place in Scotland.

Angela Constance, SNP, called for a section of the bill that would give the government legal powers to charge for carrier bags to be scrapped.

She said plastic bags made up just 0.2 per cent of waste, meaning measures to reduce their use were "symbolic."