Salmond 'is all talk' over environment

Published on Monday 14 December 2009 08:56

FORMER environment minister Sarah Boyack has accused Alex Salmond of being "all talk and no action" on climate change.

The Edinburgh Central Labour MSP said if the Climate Change Act, passed by the Scottish Parliament six months ago, was to be effective, the government had to get moving now.

She said: "It's what we do – not what we say we'll do – that's important, and Alex Salmond is all talk and no action."

Mr Salmond is to speak alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger at the climate change summit in Copenhagen tomorrow, despite Westminster refusing to allow Scottish ministers to be part of the UK delegation.

Ms Boyack said: "During First Minister's Questions on Thursday, we threw down the gauntlet and challenged Mr Salmond to spell out exactly what his government's been doing in the past six months to tackle emissions – and he had nothing new to say.

"He's all bluster when it comes to being left out of talks in Copenhagen, but it's what the government is doing at home that counts."