Oxfam urges Holyrood to make climate bill tougher

Published on Sunday 5 October 2008 22:44

THE Scottish Government was today urged to make its already ambitious proposals for tackling climate change even stronger.

Holyrood ministers have put forward proposals for a Climate Change Bill, with a target of cutting emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

And while Oxfam has urged the UK government to match that target when it publishes its own legislation, its report, Forecast for Tomorrow, called for Scotland to go further still.

In the last year, the charity has helped in the aftermath of a number of "climactic crises", including floods in Africa, South Asia and Mexico.

The report said the proposals "could result in Scotland having the most demanding statutory emissions reduction targets in the world".

Eilidh Whiteford, Oxfam Scotland's campaigns manager, said: "If the Scottish Government wants to play an international role in helping the lives of the poor, their most important first step is to deliver a strong Climate Bill that inspires others to follow their example."